After October 7, a country yearning for ideas, vision, and genuine leadership deserves a party prepared to provide them, writes leading Zionist thinker and former Member of Knesset Einat Wilf
Love you. This is excellent news. As a religious Zionist Jew I feel that in order to vote people must participate in the IDF, or National Service. No service, no vote. Also no more free rides to Charedi sector for not working or serving. Enough is enough. Happy Birthday. I’ve followed you for a long time and have your books. G-d willing I hope to make Aliyah next year with my dog and will be happy to vote for you. Am Yisrael Chai🦁💪🇮🇱
A missed opportunity and courage to explain how Palestinians, besides accepting the legitimacy of Zionism, (which it is correctly integrated into our future of two people sharing the same “land”). But what is the dream that OZ offer to Palestinians once they become Zionists.
As a religious Jew, how do you feel about 50% of religious recruits entering the army coming out secular? Or that the IDF hierarchy is exceptionally adept at weeding out strongly religious/right-wing ideologues from its upper ranks?
Where do you base those numbers on and have you considered how little faith they had to lose if half are losing it? Remarkable to see it fall so fast if it is falling that fast which I don't think it is
An interview with Rabbi Aviad Gadot, of the Torah Lechima organization; and a lecture by Rabbi Yigal Levenstein.
Social pressure is a very real thing, especially in an institutional hierarchy whose primary mechanism is to effect behavioral change (army training); even more so, in an institution which has reeducation as an explicit goal (the people's army).
But you've missed the point of the question, which was: as someone who identifies as a religious Jew, presumably the OP cherishes Judaism; how does he feel about an institution which educates away from Judaism. You may not value Judaism, or may reduce it to amorphous, ambiguous "faith", but he doesn't seem to agree.
The more observant folks serve in the IDF, the easier it will be for them to stay observant. Right now, they are a minority in an environment that is shaped by those with a different lifestyle and worldview, so they do experience a lot of peer pressure. But when they are everywhere in the army, they will start shaping it, too. They will get a voice and an influence, and might actually start reeducating their peers. This is what the meaning of people's army is - everybody, together, is doing something that's important to all.
Even now, anecdotally, I heard that many observant people stop being observant in the army - but also that many secular people start being observant. It's as if this shared experience helps each person to find their path.
Religious Zionists already have significant overrepresentation in the army; their immense and extremely disproportional contribution and sacrifice both before and during the war don't seem to have moved the army much. When Zamir takes to the press to talk about "settler violence" instead of the arms mass-smuggled by the Bedouin and the army the PA is building up; and the IDF falsifies data from pilot programs that are supposed to evaluate mixed-gender units to make them look better than they are, it's rather obvious that the army is still very much focused on quite a few things that aren't "important to all."
Ben Gurion explicitly recognized the educational function of the army in merging identities: "Army training must be accompanied by implantation in the soldiers of the cultural values of the people of Israel and with love o the homeland and the state and with the erasure of the sectarian divisions and merging the older and the newer in the life of the state and its development." https://web.archive.org/web/20190512050558if_/http:/maarachot.idf.il/PDF/FILES/4/109114.pdf
I have really enjoyed listening to your mind work on interviews and articles. I am an American but you seem to really hit the sweet spot between left and right. While I believe you were more left when you previously served it seems time and circumstances have shifted your perspective some. I am very impressed with your boldness and vision. I’d like to hear more on the economic front as I may have to make Aliyah at some point if the far left and far right continue to grow. Very strange times here. Thank God for the option and don’t give in to the crazy people there. They are probably paid like they are here.
Please PLEASE stop calling them Palestinian. They are Arabs from Egypt Jordan Lebanon and elsewhere. The Palestinian Scam must end, they billions of dollars in aid to keep these people dysfunctional and easily indoctrinated must be cut off. A new system of education has to happen, otherwise the ancient hatred will never die.
I welcome the emergence of a party that speaks seriously about ideas, sovereignty, and responsibility — Israel desperately needs a strategic conversation that goes beyond personality politics. That said, I have a few burning questions relevant to Israel’s future: How would Oz translate “Arab Zionism” into concrete policy steps with existing Palestinian leadership structures? What is the practical roadmap for enforcing universal national service, especially regarding the ultra-Orthodox and Israeli Arabs? And how does Oz envision strengthening parliamentary sovereignty without creating permanent institutional instability?
Most importantly, I would strongly object if Oz were to become just another “Just Not Bibi” party in disguise. Israel does not need another personality-based bloc; it needs a movement anchored in coherent national principles, security realism, and long-term Zionist purpose. If Oz stays focused on that, it deserves serious consideration.
You were phenomenal on “Israel from the Inside” with Danny Gordis! I hope folks in Israel will attend one of the many parlor meetings you’ll be holding about Oz and your innovative and very practical ideas for moving the country forward.
Wonderful news. Can’t think of anyone better to run the country. Einat, you will bring the best in people you have the knowledge and expertise. I wish you the best and I am sure you will succeed. The country will be a better place with you running it.
Excellent news! I follow Einat Wilf for quite some time, she´s a brilliant mind.
Love you. This is excellent news. As a religious Zionist Jew I feel that in order to vote people must participate in the IDF, or National Service. No service, no vote. Also no more free rides to Charedi sector for not working or serving. Enough is enough. Happy Birthday. I’ve followed you for a long time and have your books. G-d willing I hope to make Aliyah next year with my dog and will be happy to vote for you. Am Yisrael Chai🦁💪🇮🇱
A missed opportunity and courage to explain how Palestinians, besides accepting the legitimacy of Zionism, (which it is correctly integrated into our future of two people sharing the same “land”). But what is the dream that OZ offer to Palestinians once they become Zionists.
As a religious Jew, how do you feel about 50% of religious recruits entering the army coming out secular? Or that the IDF hierarchy is exceptionally adept at weeding out strongly religious/right-wing ideologues from its upper ranks?
Where do you base those numbers on and have you considered how little faith they had to lose if half are losing it? Remarkable to see it fall so fast if it is falling that fast which I don't think it is
An interview with Rabbi Aviad Gadot, of the Torah Lechima organization; and a lecture by Rabbi Yigal Levenstein.
Social pressure is a very real thing, especially in an institutional hierarchy whose primary mechanism is to effect behavioral change (army training); even more so, in an institution which has reeducation as an explicit goal (the people's army).
But you've missed the point of the question, which was: as someone who identifies as a religious Jew, presumably the OP cherishes Judaism; how does he feel about an institution which educates away from Judaism. You may not value Judaism, or may reduce it to amorphous, ambiguous "faith", but he doesn't seem to agree.
The more observant folks serve in the IDF, the easier it will be for them to stay observant. Right now, they are a minority in an environment that is shaped by those with a different lifestyle and worldview, so they do experience a lot of peer pressure. But when they are everywhere in the army, they will start shaping it, too. They will get a voice and an influence, and might actually start reeducating their peers. This is what the meaning of people's army is - everybody, together, is doing something that's important to all.
Even now, anecdotally, I heard that many observant people stop being observant in the army - but also that many secular people start being observant. It's as if this shared experience helps each person to find their path.
Religious Zionists already have significant overrepresentation in the army; their immense and extremely disproportional contribution and sacrifice both before and during the war don't seem to have moved the army much. When Zamir takes to the press to talk about "settler violence" instead of the arms mass-smuggled by the Bedouin and the army the PA is building up; and the IDF falsifies data from pilot programs that are supposed to evaluate mixed-gender units to make them look better than they are, it's rather obvious that the army is still very much focused on quite a few things that aren't "important to all."
Ben Gurion explicitly recognized the educational function of the army in merging identities: "Army training must be accompanied by implantation in the soldiers of the cultural values of the people of Israel and with love o the homeland and the state and with the erasure of the sectarian divisions and merging the older and the newer in the life of the state and its development." https://web.archive.org/web/20190512050558if_/http:/maarachot.idf.il/PDF/FILES/4/109114.pdf
Good to read
Yasher koach, Einat! Best of luck with your newly formed party.
And it's her birthday! I loved Einat Wilf's book "The War of Return"!
All my respect. Your book convinced me to declare myself a Zionist.
https://www.aetv.com/articles/man-responsible-2019-hanukkah-attack-killed-rabbi-not-prosecuted
I am not even Jewish, let alone Israeli. But how I wish I could vote for all this!
You’ve set yourself a tough row to hoe but I hope you manage to succeed where others have continually failed. ❤️
How can the diaspora support you?
I have really enjoyed listening to your mind work on interviews and articles. I am an American but you seem to really hit the sweet spot between left and right. While I believe you were more left when you previously served it seems time and circumstances have shifted your perspective some. I am very impressed with your boldness and vision. I’d like to hear more on the economic front as I may have to make Aliyah at some point if the far left and far right continue to grow. Very strange times here. Thank God for the option and don’t give in to the crazy people there. They are probably paid like they are here.
Mazel tov!
Please PLEASE stop calling them Palestinian. They are Arabs from Egypt Jordan Lebanon and elsewhere. The Palestinian Scam must end, they billions of dollars in aid to keep these people dysfunctional and easily indoctrinated must be cut off. A new system of education has to happen, otherwise the ancient hatred will never die.
I think Ms. Wilf actually gets this distinction, from what she’s written.
I welcome the emergence of a party that speaks seriously about ideas, sovereignty, and responsibility — Israel desperately needs a strategic conversation that goes beyond personality politics. That said, I have a few burning questions relevant to Israel’s future: How would Oz translate “Arab Zionism” into concrete policy steps with existing Palestinian leadership structures? What is the practical roadmap for enforcing universal national service, especially regarding the ultra-Orthodox and Israeli Arabs? And how does Oz envision strengthening parliamentary sovereignty without creating permanent institutional instability?
Most importantly, I would strongly object if Oz were to become just another “Just Not Bibi” party in disguise. Israel does not need another personality-based bloc; it needs a movement anchored in coherent national principles, security realism, and long-term Zionist purpose. If Oz stays focused on that, it deserves serious consideration.
You were phenomenal on “Israel from the Inside” with Danny Gordis! I hope folks in Israel will attend one of the many parlor meetings you’ll be holding about Oz and your innovative and very practical ideas for moving the country forward.
Wonderful news. Can’t think of anyone better to run the country. Einat, you will bring the best in people you have the knowledge and expertise. I wish you the best and I am sure you will succeed. The country will be a better place with you running it.
I really hope Oz can win seats in the 2026 israeli elections. its time for a broadranging political change.