The Principles of the Movement

We believe in a State with a clear identity: Jewish, Zionist and sovereign. A State where Judaism invites rather than imposes, shares rather than dictates. A State in which disagreement is an integral part of its life, but takes place around a shared table, grounded in the understanding that Judaism is a family, not a battlefield. We will strive for unity without uniformity. We will demand genuinely democratic decision-making. We believe in a State whose independence in determining its own course is beyond dispute, and whose decisions about its destiny are made in Jerusalem. A State that embodies the Jewish people’s right to self-determination in its homeland, alongside a shared sense of destiny among those who serve from all sectors of society, and a full commitment to the security, dignity and rights of all its citizens.

Our security doctrine is grounded first and foremost in a belief in the justice of our cause and in the conviction that the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people. Accordingly, we will wage an uncompromising war against any ideology or vision whose objective is the destruction of Israel.

The doctrine rests on several fundamental principles: Rapid victory, imposing a territorial cost on the enemy, initiative, the sustained denial of enemy capabilities, superiority and technological independence. The goal is to create a reality in which our enemies lose both the will to fight and the ability to rebuild their strength, recover and pose a threat. No longer should Israel find itself managing the conflict from one round to the next. The IDF relies heavily on reserve soldiers, and therefore requires intense fighting and a drive for rapid victory, in order to release reservists from service as quickly as possible. This is particularly relevant to the current campaign in the Gaza Strip. We will demand the implementation of a voluntary emigration programme for those who wish to leave the Gaza Strip and rebuild their lives elsewhere, and will work within international agreements and in cooperation with countries willing to receive those emigrating. On the international stage, Israel will pursue proactive and assertive public diplomacy, strengthen its standing and alliances, and work to expand its diplomatic and security freedom of action through a proactive, confident approach to strategic communications and public diplomacy, rather than one that is apologetic or defensive. (A detailed plan for achieving decisive victory and for emigration will be published separately.)

Strengthening the border regions is a national and security priority. We will strengthen priority areas through a comprehensive programme to promote employment through tax incentives, quality education, improved transportation and effective governance. We will promote strong Jewish communities in border areas and threatened regions, while developing human capital, cultivating the land and advancing agriculture - all of which are integral to consolidating sovereignty and strengthening the State of Israel’s presence throughout its territory. We will work to empower local authorities by decentralising powers and providing resources that will enable them to lead development in their respective areas. The State will give priority to those who contribute to its security and national resilience, including through the allocation of land and benefits that will strengthen communities, encourage military service and contribution to the State, and attract high-quality human capital to border regions and other nationally prioritised areas. (A detailed plan for regulating the status of those who serve will be published separately.)

Shared responsibility for the mission of defending the State of Israel is the foundation of the steadfastness and resilience of Israeli society. We aspire to a state in which everyone shares in the circle of responsibility and contribution - through military service for those suited to it, and meaningful national service for those who cannot serve in the IDF. Not everyone will serve in the same way, but no one will stand outside the circle of shared obligation. Alongside the obligation to serve, the State will establish a differentiated system of benefits based on the type and nature of service, its duration, and the level of risk and effort involved, so that combat soldiers, combat-support personnel and reservists who serve extensively will be rewarded in proportion to their contribution. Those who give more will receive significantly more. We recognise the value of Torah study as a fundamental value of the Jewish people for thousands of years. Therefore, dedicated pathways for outstanding Torah scholarship will remain available, but shared responsibility and service will be the norm, not the exception. (A detailed plan for regulating the status of those who serve will be published at a later stage.)

Sovereignty does not end at the boundaries of a community. A strong State is one that establishes the law and enforces it everywhere, and does not allow criminal organisations or other criminal elements to create areas where the State has no effective authority. We will strengthen law enforcement and penalties, with an emphasis on protection rackets, illegal weapons and arms smuggling. We will demand that the powers of government authorities be clearly defined in law, and establish a legal system and prosecution service that operate with transparency, measurable standards and accountability. We will establish a national coordinating body to combat crime, bringing intelligence, enforcement and economic sanctions together under a single operational picture. We will pursue checks and balances within the judicial system, including a right of appeal against judicial decisions of the Supreme Court, through the establishment of a supreme appellate court. We will demand that elected officials be committed to transparency, responsibility and accountability for their actions. (A detailed plan for restoring trust in the judicial system and establishing a commission of inquiry will be published separately.)

Education is the foundation for the growth, identity and security of the next generation. We will strive to provide every child in Israel with a high-quality core curriculum, alongside education in Jewish values, Zionism and civic responsibility. We will not fund schools that teach anti-Zionist values and/or programmes. We will work to narrow the gaps between Israel’s different education systems and establish a common baseline standard for every child in Israel. We will build a system that teaches research skills, knowledge and excellence, and tells the full story of the communities of Israel. We will work to restore independence to school principals by transferring responsibility and decision-making authority to them over recruitment, personnel management and the development of educational programmes, while establishing clear benchmarks for values and achievement. A generation expected to shoulder responsibility for the State must be given the values, knowledge and education it needs to lead it — and to play an active role in shaping its future and guiding its course.

There can be no national independence without economic strength. We will pursue a free market and break up monopolies. The State will reward work, service and contribution through tax benefits and incentives for businesses that employ and reward those who serve. We will expand urban renewal in cities and communities in Israel’s more remote areas, combining increased housing supply with improved protection and stronger infrastructure. We will work to remove regulatory and bureaucratic barriers that hold back small and medium-sized businesses.

National independence requires independent national infrastructure. The State will establish a multi-year plan for energy, water, transport, communications and ports, with clear targets and defined responsibility. In the age of artificial intelligence, processing power, data and computing infrastructure are national infrastructure, and Israel must ensure control over critical systems and prevent strategic dependence on foreign infrastructure. The State will identify technologies of strategic importance and invest in them at an early stage, in order to safeguard Israel’s advantage and independence.