It would appear that the tangible fear of vanishing of the political map is indeed enough to prompt the right-wing to unite in the hope of emerging from the general elections with representation in the next Knesset.
 
On Monday, National Religious Party leader MK Zevulun Orlev boasted the merge at the media event, assuring voters the new union of NRP, National Union, Moledet and Tekumah will provide the representation that the national religious and secular voting public seeks. At present, the new political entity lacks a name.
 
“The battle will now be on the body and soul of the state, not the tangible. The goal is to play a role in the running of the nation, not to adopt a policy of remaining in opposition as if it is a role determined by fate” stated Orlev. The party will have a 30-member governing body headed by Major-General (reserves) Yaakov Amidror, a political hawk. Other notables include Brigadier-General (reserves) Yehuda Duvdani, former IDF spokesman Ephraim Lapid, retired justice Sarah Frisch, Rabbi Yuval Sherlow and Rabbi Chaim Druckman Shlita.
 
No one will be guarantees a slot on the party’s roster, and in the first 10 positions, a least four new people will be included, among them women and “traditional Jews” who do not wear kippot. Orlev calls this “historic and dramatic” as he praised the all-inclusive cast of stars.
 
National Union leader Rabbi Benny Elon explains it brings an end to “stereotypes of dati and chiloni”.
 
“We do not want those who dance when Arab blood is spilled and those who take pleasure when yishuvim are uprooted” stated Tzvi Hendel, a veteran member of NU and a former resident of Gush Katif. “The new party is open to 90% of the dati and traditional camp” he explained.
 
The party’s main platform will focus on education and Jewish identity.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)