Avi Maoz Discusses Culture Wars, Education, and Political Strategy
Avi Maoz, chairman of the Noam party, has identified the "culture war" as the central theme for the upcoming elections, focusing on the Jewish identity of Israel. He criticizes the education system and the current government, explaining his repeated withdrawals from the coalition. Maoz acknowledges the concern of vote wastage within the right-wing bloc, stating, "The public will determine our strength."
Maoz's public career began long before his political involvement, notably with his activism for the release of Natan Sharansky from Soviet prison in the 1980s. He advocated for massive public and international pressure, contrasting with the government's preference for covert channels. This experience shaped his belief in public advocacy, which he later applied when Sharansky founded the "Yisrael Ba'aliyah" party, appointing Maoz as its director-general. Maoz also served as director-general of the Interior Ministry.
In 2019, Maoz founded the Noam party, now running as "Noam L'Yisrael," to prioritize the issue of Jewish identity in Israeli politics. He argues that the core question is whether Israel will remain a Jewish state or become a state of all its citizens. Maoz sought the position of Education Minister after the 2022 elections but was offered responsibility for the Gafnit programs instead. He claims these external programs introduce content into schools without full parental awareness, which he believes can influence children's values.
Maoz rejects the label "homophobe," stating his opposition is to ideologies and content, not individuals' private lives. He defines himself as a religious individual guided by the Torah and intends to continue advocating for his views when they conflict with public agendas. He expressed regret for supporting Amir Ohana's appointment as Knesset Speaker, citing Ohana's public appearances with his partner as a reason, though he distinguishes this from Ohana's private life.
He also criticized Education Minister Yoav Kisch for not fully implementing a promised digital transparency system for parents regarding school content. Maoz supports traditional gender roles, emphasizing a woman's primary role in the home, and opposes women's military service, though he respects individual choices. Regarding his coalition withdrawals, Maoz stated they were due to unfulfilled coalition agreements, not a failure to achieve all his demands. He learned from his experience as a single-MK that greater political power is needed to ensure his agenda is taken seriously in future governments.
