Who they are
Zohar was born in 1980 and sat on the Kiryat Gat city council for seven years, as a member and then deputy mayor. He entered the Knesset in 2015, was coalition chairman from 2020 to 2021, and has been culture and sport minister since December 2022. In 2026 he was questioned under caution in the Histadrut corruption inquiry on suspicion of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He denies involvement and has not been charged.
Positions and record
Judea and Samaria: Backs Israeli sovereignty there and opposes a Palestinian state.
Gaza: Said in 2025 that the aim of the offensive was full control of the Strip.
Film funding: Cut state funding for the Ophir Awards after a film about a Palestinian boy won best film.
Shabbat: Sponsored a bill barring business owners from being compelled to open on Shabbat.
Where they stand
Holds the party line on every issue.
Judea & Samariaparty lineSovereignty over every part of the Land of Israel, pursued through budgets and construction rather than annexation bills, and no Palestinian state.
Two states / withdrawalSovereignty / annexation
Gaza & Securityparty lineNo withdrawal on anyone else's timetable: it slowed and limited the withdrawal in the American plan and made it turn on Hamas disarming first.
Deal & disengagementFull military control
Haredi Enlistmentparty lineIt governs with the Haredi parties and in July 2026 barred the arrest of draft evaders, while its own aims require regular service of every citizen.
Universal draftPreserve exemptions
Judiciaryparty lineThe judicial selection law takes effect with the next Knesset, giving the coalition the decisive voice in appointments. No override clause is sought.
Court can strike lawsKnesset can override
Economyparty lineA national liberal movement for the free market and social equality together, with government out of the economy as far as it can go.
Social spendingFree market
Educationparty lineJewish tradition taught through the schools, and the core-studies rule kept on the books without ever being used to cut a budget.
State runs the schoolsParents and communities
Religion & Stateparty lineThe religious status quo, governed with its Haredi partners, alongside a guarantee of freedom of conscience.
Civil / pluralistReligious authority
Nation & Citizenshipparty lineThe Nation-State Law and Jewish self-determination, set beside equal rights for every citizen and the integration of minorities into the state.
Equal citizenshipJewish national state
