Religious Zionism in the next Israeli government: The formation of Israel’s far-right government has been announced. After the country’s designated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed President Isaac Herzog, the way to form a new government is now clear. Now a “Religious Zionism” government will be at the center in Israel. Members of Netanyahu’s Likud party will hold key positions. What will be the effect on the Palestinians if the coming of the new Israeli government, run with the support of Benjamin Netanyahu and the parties supporting “religious Zionism”? What is ‘Religious Judaism’ after all and how did it start, let’s know it all.
What is ‘Religious Judaism’?
To understand religious Judaism in simple words, it is a nationalist political movement of Jews, of Jewish culture, which supports the restoration of the Jewish state in the historical territory of Israel.
Israel, established as a secular nationalist ideology, was initially opposed by many Orthodox Jews. Even after the establishment of Israel in 1948, a significant proportion of Jews remained opposed to it.
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Prior to the establishment of the State of Israel, Religious Zionists were primarily observant Jews who supported Zionist efforts to create a Jewish state in the Land of Israel. Their ideology revolves around three pillars – the Land of Israel, the People of Israel and the Torah of Israel…
Religious Zionists believe that “Eretz Israel” (the Land of Israel) was promised by God to the ancient Israelites. Modern Jews now have an obligation to own and protect the land in a way that conforms to the Torah’s high standards of justice. Apart from this, the nationalistic claim of the Jewish people to historical Palestine is central to traditional Zionist thinking.
The Religious Zionist movement grew only when the Orthodox community became more populous in Israel and the majority of the country’s population became right-wing.
How did the ‘religious Zionist’ parties perform?
According to Israeli media, nine members living in the occupied West Bank could serve in senior positions in Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government. Six of these are from a coalition of parties running together under the “Religious Judaism” banner during parliamentary elections.
The Religious Zionist coalition has emerged as Netanyahu’s main coalition partner. The coalition was mainly composed of Bezel Smotrich’s Religious Zionist Party and Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power Party. Netanyahu had encouraged them to come together and contest elections because of their common ideology. Though later these allies parted ways, they have given support once again.
The Stand of Religious Zionist Parties Towards the Palestinians
Both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have been vocal about their intention to expand illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and acquire Palestinian land. Both are known for inciting violence against Palestinians. Ben-Gvir has supported racist incitement and “terrorism” against Arab countries, as well as the provision of punishment in 2007 for LGBTQ activism. Overall, the Religious Zionist Party has never been in the interest of the Palestinians. In such a situation, there are chances of increasing tension.
Understand the results of the elections held in Israel here
Netanyahu’s Likud party emerged as the largest party in the Israeli elections. He is supported by right-wing blocs including Shas, United Torah Judaism, Religious Judaism, Jewish Power and Noam. Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party won 32 seats in the Knesset, while outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid won 24.
The biggest surprise of the elections after the final vote count was over was the Religious Zionist Party, which won 14 seats and became the third largest party. Netanyahu’s other potential coalition partners, Shas and United Torah Judaism, won 11 and seven seats, respectively, bringing the bloc’s total to 64.
Now according to the report of the American media Washington Post, after 38 days of ongoing talks for the coalition, Netanyahu succeeded in forming the government and he is going to form the government with the support of religious Zionist parties.
