Moledet
Encyclopedia
Moledet is a small right-wing political party in Israel
. It advocates the notion of encouraging voluntary population transfer
(as opposed to forced transfer) of the Arab
population of the West Bank
. Moledet was founded in 1988 by Rehavam Ze'evi, who headed it until his assassination by members of the PFLP
in 2001, after which Rabbi Benny Elon was elected as chairman. In 1999, Moledet allied with Herut – The National Movement and Tkuma
to form the National Union
.
While other parties (Kach
, Herut) have advocated transfer, Moledet is the party most associated with this notion in Israel, due to its almost lack of any other element in its platform, and due to Ze'evi's success in bringing together opposing elements (in particular, both secular and religious) under the transfer flag. In contrast to Kach and the ideas of Rabbi Meir Kahane, Moledet only advocates voluntary transfer.
Throughout its existence, Moledet remained a small party and never exceeded three Members of the Knesset
(out of 120). In the 17th Knesset (2006–2009), Moledet had two MKs, Elon and Professor Aryeh Eldad. In its beginnings, Moledet was considered unsuitable to participate in the government coalition. As political tensions in Israel got worse—and possibly because Moledet, then part of the National Union, was not so clearly associated with the notion of transfer—Moledet finally joined the coalition in 2001. Zeevi was made Minister of Tourism and served until his assassination in 2001, after which Elon replaced him. Elon was dismissed in mid-2004 due to his opposition to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
's Gaza disengagement plan
.
On 3 November 2008 the party announced a merger with the National Union, the National Religious Party and Tkuma to form a new right-wing party, later named the Jewish Home
. But Jewish Home excluded ex-Moledet members from the electable top slots of the candidate list for the 2009 election
. Moledet then rejected the merger and joined the revived National Union. In the 2009 election, the Union won four seats, one of which went to Moledet candidate Ya'akov Katz
.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. It advocates the notion of encouraging voluntary population transfer
Population transfer
Population transfer is the movement of a large group of people from one region to another by state policy or international authority, most frequently on the basis of ethnicity or religion...
(as opposed to forced transfer) of the Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
population of the West Bank
West Bank
The West Bank ) of the Jordan River is the landlocked geographical eastern part of the Palestinian territories located in Western Asia. To the west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the state of Israel. To the east, across the Jordan River, lies the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan...
. Moledet was founded in 1988 by Rehavam Ze'evi, who headed it until his assassination by members of the PFLP
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine is a Palestinian Marxist-Leninist organisation founded in 1967. It has consistently been the second-largest of the groups forming the Palestine Liberation Organization , the largest being Fatah...
in 2001, after which Rabbi Benny Elon was elected as chairman. In 1999, Moledet allied with Herut – The National Movement and Tkuma
Tkuma
Tkuma is a right wing political party in Israel.-Background:Tkuma was established in 1998 when Hanan Porat and Zvi Hendel left the National Religious Party. At first the new party was named Emunim , but was later renamed Tkuma...
to form the National Union
National Union (Israel)
The National Union is an alliance of nationalist political parties in Israel. In the 2009 elections the National Union consisted of four parties: Moledet, Hatikva, Eretz Yisrael Shelanu, and Tkuma.-Background:...
.
While other parties (Kach
Kach and Kahane Chai
Kach was a far-right political party in Israel. Founded by Rabbi Meir Kahane in the early 1970s, and following his Jewish nationalist ideology , the party entered the Knesset in 1984 after several electoral failures...
, Herut) have advocated transfer, Moledet is the party most associated with this notion in Israel, due to its almost lack of any other element in its platform, and due to Ze'evi's success in bringing together opposing elements (in particular, both secular and religious) under the transfer flag. In contrast to Kach and the ideas of Rabbi Meir Kahane, Moledet only advocates voluntary transfer.
Throughout its existence, Moledet remained a small party and never exceeded three Members of the Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
(out of 120). In the 17th Knesset (2006–2009), Moledet had two MKs, Elon and Professor Aryeh Eldad. In its beginnings, Moledet was considered unsuitable to participate in the government coalition. As political tensions in Israel got worse—and possibly because Moledet, then part of the National Union, was not so clearly associated with the notion of transfer—Moledet finally joined the coalition in 2001. Zeevi was made Minister of Tourism and served until his assassination in 2001, after which Elon replaced him. Elon was dismissed in mid-2004 due to his opposition to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
Ariel Sharon
Ariel Sharon is an Israeli statesman and retired general, who served as Israel’s 11th Prime Minister. He has been in a permanent vegetative state since suffering a stroke on 4 January 2006....
's Gaza disengagement plan
Israel's unilateral disengagement plan
Israel's unilateral disengagement plan , also known as the "Disengagement plan", "Gaza expulsion plan", and "Hitnatkut", was a proposal by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, adopted by the government on June 6, 2004 and enacted in August 2005, to evict all Israelis from the Gaza Strip and from...
.
On 3 November 2008 the party announced a merger with the National Union, the National Religious Party and Tkuma to form a new right-wing party, later named the Jewish Home
The Jewish Home
-External links:*...
. But Jewish Home excluded ex-Moledet members from the electable top slots of the candidate list for the 2009 election
Israeli legislative election, 2009
Elections for the 18th Knesset were held in Israel on 10 February 2009. These elections became necessary due to the resignation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as leader of the Kadima party, and the failure of his successor, Tzipi Livni, to form a coalition government...
. Moledet then rejected the merger and joined the revived National Union. In the 2009 election, the Union won four seats, one of which went to Moledet candidate Ya'akov Katz
Ya'akov Katz (politician born 1951)
Ya’akov Dov "Katzele" Katz is an Israeli politician. He currently leads the National Union party, for whom he is a member of the Knesset, and is also the Executive Director of Beit El yeshiva Center Institutions and Arutz Sheva....
.
External links
- Official website
- Party history Knesset website