What Israel's parties say about security and foreign policy
Each party's published position on security and foreign policy, from its own platform, website and statements, in ballot list order. 2 of 38 lists so far.
B'Yachad List 1, רק
The national security plan says Israel should move "from containment to deterrence, from attrition to decision."3
On Gaza, the plan says Israel won't move "a millimeter from the yellow line" until Hamas fully disarms, and will strike any Hamas buildup or training.3 After preparing the army, the US and the world, Israel would give Hamas an ultimatum: disarm, or be disarmed.3 The plan says Israel has no interest in running Gaza.3
After visiting the Gaza border in August, Bennett wrote on Telegram that the IDF's order should be to kill any terrorist at any hour without restrictions, and that where needed a permanent IDF force should be stationed inside communities next to the fence.33
The plan calls for a "large, proactive and lethal" army instead of a small one, and says everyone will be drafted, with no exemptions.3 On Hezbollah and Iran, the line is "if Hezbollah hits Israel, Israel hits Iran."3 It commits to preventing an Iranian nuclear weapon and to speeding up the collapse of the regime by diplomatic, economic and technological means.3
They want to declare Qatar an "enemy state," remove Qatar and Turkey from any role in Gaza, and bring Egypt in instead.3 Bennett repeated that call on Telegram in September.38
On the region, they list strengthening the Abraham Accords, reviving the Negev Summit, and normalization with Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.3 And they propose a national public diplomacy body in the Prime Minister's Office, which they call "8300," a play on the intelligence unit 8200.3
I couldn't find a published position on a Palestinian state, or on the future status of the West Bank. The foreign policy page is still a placeholder.2
Yashar List 2, דרך
The 10 steps platform promises a "new security concept" to replace what it calls the "band-aid method." It says they'll strengthen the IDF, fortify the borders, and make Israel a "regional power," while working to expand the "circle of peace" and secure a "solid Jewish majority for generations."2 That's the extent of it in the platform. I couldn't find a written plan on Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, or the Palestinians.
On a Palestinian state, the party's website says Eisenkot has never supported one, and that his only statement on the subject is opposition to it.20
In an interview with the Jerusalem Post published September 24, Eisenkot said Iran is the external threat that concerns him most, called relations with the US "a necessity for Israel," and said peace with Egypt and Jordan needs to be strengthened.22 He also said that on the West Bank, the Civil Administration and police activity in what he called "Judea and Samaria" would go back to coordination under the military command, and administrative orders would be restored "against those who riot and harm the settlement enterprise."22
The security item with numbers attached is about reservists. The plan would cap reserve duty at 50 days a year and 150 days over three years, as a four-year temporary measure, with at least six months' notice before a call-up, subject to operational limits.6
Still to come
Sharshar, Partnership for Everyone, Pirate Party, Amcha Yisrael, Israel First, Garden of Eden, Women's Voice, Together We Will Succeed, Yisrael Beiteinu, Just Law, Shema, Otzma Yehudit, New Order, The Reservists and the Economic Party, The Democrats, Ra'am, Shas, Haredi Public, Me and You, Brit Olam, Tikun, The Biblical Bloc, Betach, Orot HaShachar, Personal Security, Black Color, Likud, Blue and White, Religious Zionism-Zehut, Achi Movement, Tzomet Beit Israel, Derech Hazon VeTekuma, The Joint List, HaKahal, United Torah Judaism, Noam L'Yisrael.
