Yisrael! Party's Religious Candidates Offer Chance to Revive Historic Alliance

The Yisrael! party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, faces criticism for the number of religious candidates on its electoral list, with some quick to label them as "inherently right-wing" and likely to join a Netanyahu government after the elections. The author, Liora Minka, argues this is a shallow generalization that misses an opportunity to renew a historical alliance with the diverse and multifaceted national religious Zionist movement.

Minka contends that such labeling reflects a simplistic public discourse that relies on stereotypes rather than deep understanding, comparing it to other harmful generalizations. Drawing on social psychology research, including work by Professor Susan Fiske, she explains that the human brain uses cognitive shortcuts, often leading to inaccurate assumptions about individuals based on group affiliation.

Research from Israeli institutions like the Israel Democracy Institute and the Guttman Center supports the view that the national religious public is not a monolithic group but rather a spectrum of individuals with varied views on politics, identity, and lifestyle. Studies indicate that religious-nationalists hold diverse opinions on issues such as state-religion separation, LGBTQ+ rights, economic policy, and democratic liberalism, challenging the stereotype that all religious individuals are right-wing.

The article highlights that historical national religious Zionism, exemplified by figures like Avraham Stern and Hanan Porat within the Mafdal party, was also characterized by internal diversity. Minka personally knows many religious candidates in the Yisrael! party who do not present a uniform background or stance, representing a strength that includes educators, security personnel, and public figures with moderate conservative, religious liberal, centrist, and right-wing leanings.

Minka concludes that this diversity signifies a resurgence of a unifying, state-oriented national religious identity. She urges a move away from simplistic political narratives and stereotypes, advocating for a focus on individuals rather than groups to foster a new, inclusive, and broad Israeli politics that can rebuild a shared social space.