Israel's political landscape is deeply influenced by a complex interplay of nationalist, religious, and ideological forces. In recent years, far-right parties have moved from the fringes to the heart of government, significantly impacting the country's policies?especially on issues surrounding the Palestinian territories and minority rights.
This book examines the major far-right entities shaping Israel's current political climate. The ruling Likud party, under Benjamin Netanyahu, has shifted toward increasingly hardline positions, such as opposing a Palestinian state and promoting annexation of the West Bank. Alongside Likud is Religious Zionism, led by Bezalel Smotrich, which calls for major legal changes, including the expulsion of Palestinians who maintain national aspirations.
Other influential parties include Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power), led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, which openly supports the removal of Palestinians from Israel and the occupied territories, and Noam, focused on advancing ultra-Orthodox, anti-liberal family policies.
Additional groups, such as Shas and United Torah Judaism, primarily focus on religious issues but often align with far-right stances concerning the Palestinian conflict. Outside parliamentary politics, organisations like Lehava?an anti-miscegenation movement?and loosely affiliated groups like the Hilltop Youth exemplify the grassroots and sometimes violent edge of the far-right.
The government formed in December 2022 is widely regarded as the most right-wing in Israel's history, with several far-right parties holding central ministries. "The Far-Right Politics In Israel: How Conflict Shapes Political Discourse" provides an in-depth look at this multifaceted landscape and how ongoing conflict continues to shape political rhetoric, policy decisions, and civil society in Israel today.
