The National Union (HaIchud HaLeumi) is the only party whose leaders not only have realized, but have also acted upon the realization, that small fractious parties undermine the National Camp?s ability to form a Government. This is a lesson that should have been learned by all from the elections of 1992. In those elections, the National Camp actually received more votes than the left-wing. But despite this fact, Yitzchak Rabin became prime minister and formed a left-wing government, which brought the terror of the Oslo Accords on all of us. The National Camp lost thousands of votes to parties that did not make it beyond the threshold, because, even in the face of very poor forecasts in the polls, they stubbornly insisted on running separately.
In the 1999 elections, the Moledet, Tekumah and Herut parties responded to this political reality by joining forces to form the original National Union slate. Regrettably, despite all the efforts made to convince the NRP of how important it was for them to join this combined list, the NRP declined to do so. After the elections, Moledet, Tekumah and Israel Beiteinu further strengthened the National Camp?s unity by joining forces and forming the National Union-Israel Beiteinu faction in the Knesset. On the other hand, the Herut party undermined the power of this unity by splintering off and forming a one-man faction.
In the current elections, Israel Beiteinu, Moledet and Tekumah have taken a leadership position in trying to solidify the National Camp into one cooperative list, which could muster enough support to be able to force the Likud into forming a National Government, negating any possibility of another National Unity colaition with Peres, et al, as senior ministers. Unfortunately, despite our efforts, the NRP, Israel Ba?aliyah and Herut have refused to join our initiative, insisting on running as separate, individual parties - each representing the interests of a single sector of the population, and that sector alone.
The National Union understands that for Am Yisrael, unity is as much a valued principle as it is a political necessity. The National Union represents what Rechavam Ze?evi defined as the three Zionist values: defending the Homeland, Aliyah, and settling the Land. Many in Israel talk about national unity and the importance of ingathering our people from around the world. Usually this remains just talk, but the National Union puts words into action. We unite new immigrants with veteran Israelis, religious and non-religious, including residents of development towns and communities throughout Judea, Samaria and Gaza (Yesha). The National Union believes that only through this type of partnership can we succeed in the crucial goal of bridging the gap between religious and non-religious Jews in Israel.
We must ensure the Jewish character of the State, as based on the Jewish values found in our national heritage and history. At the same time, the National Union believes in the separation of religion and politics. It rejects the practice of extending political patronage based upon religion. The National Union will insist that all legislation concerning religious matters be achieved through the broadest possible consensus, without one sector coercing another.
In the coming election, don?t waste your vote on separatist parties that represent only one sector of Israeli society. Instead, vote for the party that not only speaks about unity, but is the very embodiment of unity - in principle as well as in practice.
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Uri Bank is Chairman of the Gilo Resident?s Committee for a Safer Gilo, Chairman of the Executive of Moledet, and tenth on the Ichud Haleumi (National Union) slate for Knesset.
In the 1999 elections, the Moledet, Tekumah and Herut parties responded to this political reality by joining forces to form the original National Union slate. Regrettably, despite all the efforts made to convince the NRP of how important it was for them to join this combined list, the NRP declined to do so. After the elections, Moledet, Tekumah and Israel Beiteinu further strengthened the National Camp?s unity by joining forces and forming the National Union-Israel Beiteinu faction in the Knesset. On the other hand, the Herut party undermined the power of this unity by splintering off and forming a one-man faction.
In the current elections, Israel Beiteinu, Moledet and Tekumah have taken a leadership position in trying to solidify the National Camp into one cooperative list, which could muster enough support to be able to force the Likud into forming a National Government, negating any possibility of another National Unity colaition with Peres, et al, as senior ministers. Unfortunately, despite our efforts, the NRP, Israel Ba?aliyah and Herut have refused to join our initiative, insisting on running as separate, individual parties - each representing the interests of a single sector of the population, and that sector alone.
The National Union understands that for Am Yisrael, unity is as much a valued principle as it is a political necessity. The National Union represents what Rechavam Ze?evi defined as the three Zionist values: defending the Homeland, Aliyah, and settling the Land. Many in Israel talk about national unity and the importance of ingathering our people from around the world. Usually this remains just talk, but the National Union puts words into action. We unite new immigrants with veteran Israelis, religious and non-religious, including residents of development towns and communities throughout Judea, Samaria and Gaza (Yesha). The National Union believes that only through this type of partnership can we succeed in the crucial goal of bridging the gap between religious and non-religious Jews in Israel.
We must ensure the Jewish character of the State, as based on the Jewish values found in our national heritage and history. At the same time, the National Union believes in the separation of religion and politics. It rejects the practice of extending political patronage based upon religion. The National Union will insist that all legislation concerning religious matters be achieved through the broadest possible consensus, without one sector coercing another.
In the coming election, don?t waste your vote on separatist parties that represent only one sector of Israeli society. Instead, vote for the party that not only speaks about unity, but is the very embodiment of unity - in principle as well as in practice.
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Uri Bank is Chairman of the Gilo Resident?s Committee for a Safer Gilo, Chairman of the Executive of Moledet, and tenth on the Ichud Haleumi (National Union) slate for Knesset.