Our home is Israel

The NDI received 4 mandates in its first Knesset elections in 1999 . In the Sharon government (since March 2001 ), the party received one of the main ministerial portfolios. In 2002 , due to disagreement with the policies of Ariel Sharon, the party withdrew from the government.

In anticipation of the new elections, Avigdor Lieberman created the right bloc consisting of the NDI party and small parties of the right-wing Moledet and Tkuma . This bloc received 7 seats in the Knesset elections in January 2003 . Since February 28, 2003, the bloc entered the government of Ariel Sharon, two deputies received ministerial portfolios from this bloc. In mid- 2004, the party left the coalition.

In the 2006 election , the party received 11 seats.

According to the results of the 2009 elections, it became the third largest party in Israel with 15 mandates. The NDI party entered the government of Beniamin Netanyahu . According to coalition agreements, party leader Avigdor Lieberman received the post of Israeli Foreign Minister .

In Israel, only religious marriages are possible. Moreover, all citizens of Jewish nationality are married according to the Jewish canon, if the marriage is committed within the country. According to the laws of the Jewish religion , only a person whose mother is Jewish or a past giyur is considered a Jew.

Among immigrants from the CIS countries and the former USSR there are many mixed families, and approximately 300 thousand people are not Jews according to the Halakhah and therefore cannot marry inside Israel. Although Israel recognizes marriages overseas, the fact that 300,000 citizens cannot marry and marry in their own country, many, in particular the US Department of State, consider discrimination ^[8] .

The NDI party relies heavily on immigrants from the former Soviet Union, and declared in its program documents in Russian ^{[9] a} desire to introduce the institution of civil marriages in Israel, which exists in almost all other countries of the world. Moreover, in the English version of the NDI program document, it is noted that the party is fundamentally against the introduction of full-fledged civil marriages (see below).

On March 16, 2010, at the initiative of the party, the Knesset passed a law on "union of couples" ( Brit ha Zuguyut ) - an analogue of civil marriage. However, only persons can enter into a “union of a couple”, none of whom are recognized as Jews by the Israeli Ministry of the Interior.

NDI and Civil Marriage Bills in the 18th Knesset (2009-present)

Refusal to support civil marriage law proposed by Kadima party

Contrary to their election promises, during the vote on the draft law on the introduction of civil marriages for all categories of the population proposed on June 10, 2009 by the Kadima party , MPs from the NDI party voted against the bill ^[10] . 38 deputies voted for the bill, including Kadima, MERETS , HADASH , Arab parties, and some of the deputies from Avoda . 63 deputies voted against ^[11] . If NDI (15 deputies) voted for civil marriages, the number of voters “For” would be 53 deputies, and 51 “Voters” would vote (3 deputies from NDI abstained from voting, there was simply no Lieberman at the meeting ^[12] ).

It is worth noting that the bill of the Kadima party practically did not differ from the bill of the NDI party itself, which it had proposed earlier (a year and a half before), and posted on the party’s website (see below). Deputy Rotem, the author of the NDI bill, said after voting on the draft Kadima party that, as the ruling party, Kadima almost unanimously voted against his bill on civil marriages. Rotem himself voted against the draft submitted by Kadima. Rotem's speech provoked an angry reaction from the deputies from Kadima. ^[11] .

Non-Jewish Civil Marriage Act

After the Kadima bill was rejected, the NDI party said that together with the Likud party , it was working on a new bill of its own, according to which non-Jews would be able to marry only non-Jews within Israel, and it is planned to develop a bill on civil marriages between by the Jews. This, according to the NDI party, solves the problem.

In July 2009, the first of the bills providing for the conclusion of a “marriage agreement” within the country only if both spouses are non-Jews, was adopted by the Knesset in the first reading ^[13] . According to the Kadima party, the proposed bill is discriminatory ^[11] .

Representatives of Kadima believe that if the state in Israel simply does not engage in marriage, having completely provided this sphere to representatives of religious faiths, then after the adoption of the new Rotema law, the state will be obliged to enter into "marital unions", after having checked the nationality and religion of the couple - that inevitably bring to Israel new charges of discrimination and violation of civil rights.

At the same time, a source in the NDI admitted that the bill proposed by the party does not provide for “full-fledged” civil marriages - those who enter into a “marital union” will not receive all the rights that people who have entered into a civil marriage abroad have ^[14] .

On January 16, 2010, the Knesset passed a bill on the "union of the couple." According to the adopted law, only a man and a woman receive the right to register a “union of a couple” (“Brit hazugiut”) from a civil registrar, none of which belong to any of the religious communities recognized by the State of Israel. If at least one of the spouses is recognized by the Israeli Ministry of the Interior as a Jew, the new law does not apply to him, and such a married couple will still be forced to go to Cyprus, the Czech Republic or somewhere else to marry.

The Kadima party also voted in favor of the law, which however criticized it for imperfection. The Shas party abstained in the vote for the law.

On February 2, 2011, the NDI party, contrary to its promises, voted against the cut-off law on civil marriages, under which such marriages would be allowed for couples where "one of the spouses does not have the opportunity to enter into a religious marriage." The law was proposed by MP Meir Sheetrit from the Kadima party and was rejected by the Knesset. ^[15]

NDI and Civil Marriage Bills in the Knesset of the 17th convocation (2006-2009)

Earlier, the final version of the draft law on civil marriages was published on the NDI party’s website, entitled “Draft Law on the Establishment of the Status of Spouses Who Have Married by virtue of a Marriage Agreement” ^[16] . This law was put by the party to vote on the Knesset of the 17th convocation on February 13, 2008, but did not get the required number of votes. Following the vote, David Rotem , an NDI deputy and author of the bill, said:

I don’t know how the representatives of Kadima who will go to the polls under the slogan “Legalization of civil marriages” will look into the eyes of their voters. ^[17]

At the same time, Rotem commented on his bill as follows:

This Law creates a parallel and identical marriage registration procedure in relation to the rights and obligations of spouses, allowing a man and woman who are citizens of the State of Israel and want to start a family to marry a non-religious marriage.
This Law establishes the procedures necessary for such registration, from the appointment of the Registrar of Marriages to the establishment of the procedure for divorce (annulment) of the Registrar or the court ^[16] .

At the same time, the NDI program document in English (September 2007) emphasizes that the party favors the Covenant of Commitment, which, by definition, is not the equivalent of civil marriage:

Israel, as a Jewish state, should attract people and not alienate them through heavy bureaucracy and coercion. This of course is true with regard to the right to marry and form a family, which are fundamental steps in self-realization. Our House of Israel strives to make this process as simple and dignified as possible with the help of its proposed Obligation Agreement (which is NOT ^[18] a common-law marriage) ^[6] .

Original text

Israel, as a Jewish state, must appeal to people and not alienate them through heavy bureaucracy or coercion. This is certainly true concerning the right to get married and begin a family, which are fundamental steps in self-fulfillment. Yisrael Beitenu seeks to make this process as simple and dignified as possible through its Covenant of Commitment (which is NOT civil marriage).

NDI sees the Arab-Israeli conflict as part of the conflict between the Western world and radical Islam. According to the party, this global conflict cannot be considered a consequence of the confrontation between Israel and the Arab countries ^[6] . Palestinian resistance and Palestinian terror are not the result of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Arab-Israeli conflict has not a territorial, but a national-religious cause. It is "part of the global campaign against a lifestyle other than Islam."

Palestinian state. Lieberman Plan

The party’s publications contain arguments against the existence of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and for the continuation of the occupation. According to the document “Vision NDI” from the party’s website:

An effective counterargument has not been put forward against the argument of our neighbors on the right to self-determination and on the resolution of the conflict, which provides for the creation of two states for two peoples . Israel must make clear that the anti-Israeli position of extremist Islamic leaders, which is also found in many circles in the West, is a direct product of classical anti-Semitism , and that the demands for a Palestinian state and the right to return Palestinian refugees are just a sham that hides the ultimate goal - destruction State of Israel. Also, calls for self-determination should be exposed as a platform for promoting destructive ideas ^[6] .

Original text

Our neighbor's arguments of the right to self-determination and of a two state solution for two nations have not been met with an effective counter-argument. Israel must explain that the anti-Israel position of extremist Muslim leaders, which can also be found in many circles in the West, is a direct product of classical anti-Semitism and that demands for the establishment of a Palestinian state and the right of return are but a subterfuge, concealing the ultimate goal of the destruction of the State of Israel. Likewise, calls for self-determination should be revealed as a mere platform for the furtherance of destructive goals.

NDI opposed the peace plan Roadmap and unilateral disengagement from Gaza . The party believes it is wrong that the Gaza Strip is supplied with electricity while terrorist groups operate there and rockets are fired from Israel, and believes that it must be made clear that "participation in the Terror Federation will have to pay a high price." It is proposed to completely stop supplying the sector with any kind of goods, energy and not provide port services to it - that is, treat the sector just like the Sinai Peninsula after returning it to Egypt. In response to the shelling of Sderot by rockets, it is proposed to strike at the rich region of Gaza Rimmel. It is suggested that NATO and the European Union take control of the situation in the sector, then, according to NDI, Gaza will eventually be able to turn into a new Hong Kong. The party’s program document says that separate negotiations should be conducted with the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and, if possible, isolate these territories from each other ^[6] .

Liberman's plan
Nevertheless, the Lieberman plan , also published on the NDI website, provides for the creation of a Palestinian state. An exchange of land and population between Israel and the future Palestinian state is proposed. It is planned to transfer to the Palestinian state the Arab settlements ( Tira , Kafr Kassem , Taibe , etc.) adjacent to the green line, the Arab villages and cities in the Wadi Ara region ( Um al-Faham , Baka al-Garabia , etc.), villages in the East Jerusalem area and some Bedouin settlements in the northern Negev. In return, Israel should receive large blocks of settlements outside the green line. East Jerusalem is planned to be left as part of Israel. The implementation of such a plan will reduce the number of Arab citizens of Israel by a third ^[19] .

NDI believes that Israeli Arabs have a double identity and, considering themselves Palestinians , enjoy all the economic benefits of Israeli citizenship ^[19] .

NDI considers it possible to start possible negotiations on the creation of a Palestinian state only if three conditions are met:

• The complete cessation of terrorist acts;
• The cessation of anti-Israeli propaganda in the media and through school curricula;
• The willingness of the Palestinian leadership to sign the Agreement on the complete and final completion of the conflict and the mutual renunciation of any demands in the future.

At the same time, the NDI advocate a simultaneous total war on terror, saying that the measures Israel has previously used are insufficient. The party also believes that it is necessary to develop the economy of the Palestinian territories. The party accuses the administration of Yasser Arafat of the current plight of the Palestinian Authority, which, according to the NDI, has plundered all foreign aid sent to the Palestinians. At the same time, NDI is categorically against providing Palestinians with work in Israel ^[19] .

Many commentators believe that the implementation of such a plan, accompanied by the forced deprivation of Israeli Arabs by their citizenship, is contrary to Israeli and international humanitarian laws.

Israeli Arabs

The NDI Party believes that all citizens of Israel should take an oath of allegiance to the "State of Israel, the national flag, the Declaration of Independence and other attributes of statehood", as well as the Jewish state ^{[6] [19]} . Those who refused to take the oath should be deprived of citizenship, and only a residence permit should be left to them. They will not be able to vote or stand for election. They will offer an oath to all new immigrants, persons over 16 years of age, and those who want to renew their passport. ^[nineteen]

According to the NDI, every Israeli citizen is required to undergo military or alternative service. Persons who refused to do so should be deprived of Israeli citizenship, they will be left only permanent resident status ^[19] .

The party also put forward a draft law on criminal penalties for participating in events on the occasion of Nakba Day ^{[20] [21]} (held by the Arab population of Israel on May 15 each year in memory of the exodus of the Palestinian Arab people after Israel declared independence that day in 1948).

For its position, the party is often accused by Arab and left-wing Israeli politicians and journalists of racism ^[22] .

According to the party, Syria is making plans to seize Lebanon , and the extremist Hezbollah group is helping it in this. NDI believes that Syria should be responsible and “pay a high price” for any Hezbollah attacks against Israel. Israel’s “economic and government institutions” should be chosen as the target of Israel’s retaliatory strikes for possible Hezbollah provocations. Moreover, the victory over Syria should be complete and end with a “decisive triumph of Israel”, and a partial “technical” victory is dangerous for Israel.

NDI believes that a peace treaty is needed not only by Israel, but also by Syria, since such a treaty will allow it to withdraw from the Terror Federation and gain US support, in particular, in developing its economy. Therefore, the party believes that it is not necessary to transfer the Golan Heights to Syria to conclude a peace treaty, but it is possible to agree on a long-term (99 years) and automatically renewed lease of this territory by Israel ^[6] .

In addition, the party advocates the entry of Israel into the European Union and NATO .

Unlike most other secular parties in Israel, the party does not hold primaries (intra-party voting, determining the election list). Instead, the list “is formed by the party commission” ^[23] .

Legislative Election in Israel (2013)

October 25, 2012 Likud and NDI agreed to go to the polls with a joint list ^[24] Both parties act as a single list, but not a single party. Each of them retains its ideology and its priorities. According to Lieberman, the NDI not only maintains its structure and program, but significantly strengthens its position, being able to determine the country's policy along with the Likud party. NDI, in the framework of agreements with Likud, receives two key ministries: the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Will be retained by NDI and the Ministry of Absorption. According to the party’s leadership, with such powerful resources and dominant positions in the government, NDI will be able to solve the most acute and painful problems associated with social housing and the status of tens of thousands of people from the former Soviet Union ^[25] .

2015 Election

On the eve of the election, NDI was at the center of a corruption scandal. As a result of the investigation, which was conducted for more than a year, he was detained, and then released 31 people. Among those interrogated are Interior Minister Faina Kirshenbaum , former Minister of Tourism Stas Misezhnikov, and other high-ranking party members ^{[26] [27]} .

As a result of the Knesset elections in 2015, 5.17% of the vote voted for the NDI (according to preliminary estimates), and thus received 6 seats. ^[28]

Members of the 17th Knesset

1. Avigdor Liberman
2. Israel Hasson
3. Yosef Chagall
4. Esterina Tartman
5. Stas Misezhnikov
6. Sofa Landver
7. Yitzhak Aaronovich
8. Robert Ilatov
9. Alex miller
10. Leah Shemtov
11. David Rotem

Deputies of the 18th Knesset

1. Avigdor Lieberman - Minister of Foreign Affairs
2. Uzi Landau - Minister of Infrastructure
3. Stas Misezhnikov - Minister of Tourism
4. Yitzhak Aaronovich - Minister of Internal Security
5. Sofa Landver - Minister of Absorption
6. Orly Levy-Abukasis
7. Dani Ayalon - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
8. David Rotem
9. Anastasia Michaeli
10. Faina Kirshenbaum
11. Robert Ilatov
12. Hamed Amar
13. Moshe Matalon
14. Leah Shemtov
15. Alex miller

Deputies in the 19th Knesset

1. Avigdor Liberman
2. Yair Shamir
3. Uzi Landau
4. Yitzhak Aaronovich
5. Sofa Landver
6. Orly Levy-Abukasis
7. David Rotem
8. Faina Kirshenbaum
9. Robert Ilatov
10. Hamed Amar
11. Shimon Ohayon

Members of the 20th Knesset

1. Avigdor Lieberman resigned from the Knesset in accordance with the “Norwegian Law” (as Minister) June 1, 2016 → Julia Malinovskaya
2. Orly Levy → in May 2016, during negotiations on the party’s joining the ruling coalition, announced its withdrawal from the NDI. March 15, 2017 expelled from the fraction ^{[29] [30] [31]} .
3. Sofa Landver
4. Ilan Shokhat → decided to remain mayor of Safed and not take the oath of a member of the Knesset → Robert Ilatov
5. Sharon Gal ^[32] resigned from the Knesset on September 2, 2015 → Oded Forer ^[33]
6. Hamed Amar

Final composition

1. Sofa Landver - Minister of Aliyah and Integration
2. Robert Ilatov - chairman of the faction
3. Hamed Amar
4. Oded Forer
5. Julia Malinovskaya

21st Knesset Deputies

1. Avigdor Liberman
2. Oded Forer
3. Evgeny Sova

• Official website (in Russian)
• Official website (in Hebrew)
• Official website (in English)
• Our Home Israel - Knesset Faction Page
• Official Facebook page (in Russian)
• An interview with party leader Avigdor Lieberman to the Russian Soldiers magazine , Konstantin Krinitsky spoke.
• Mikhail Falkov . Why followers of the founders of the state join the NDI (neopr.) . IzRus (01/04/2013). Date of treatment January 5, 2013.

Opinions

• The paradigm of Lieberman Gregory TRESTMAN. Lieberman's plan in verse. For the publication of this poem, the author was accused in Israel of inciting racism, but was acquitted by a court decision ^[1] . (Russian)
• TAKING KAHANE Gideon Levy . 02/08/09 Ha-Arets / Gush Shalom (Russian)