Who they are
Elyasaf Peretz is a reservist and civic activist who founded a pre-military academy and the Our Brothers association for bereaved siblings. He has run the society and youth division at Jerusalem’s municipality for the past six years, and served hundreds of days of reserve duty during the war.
His brother Uriel fell in Lebanon in 1998 and his brother Eliraz in Gaza in 2010. Their mother, Miriam Peretz, won the Israel Prize for the work she did after their deaths.
Positions and record
Reservists: Rights and welfare for those in extended reserve duty.
Service ethos: A shared national-service ethic rooted in his family's story.
Unity: A broad Zionist government.
Where they stand
Holds the party line on every issue.
Judea & Samariaparty lineNo Palestinian state. Eisenkot has never supported establishing one, and opposition is the only line he has taken on the question.
Two states / withdrawalSovereignty / annexation
Gaza & Securityparty lineA new security doctrine, and an alternative government in Gaza on Israel's terms. Eisenkot pressed for the Rafah operation as leverage for a hostage deal.
Deal & disengagementFull military control
Haredi Enlistmentparty lineEveryone is summoned, the army first and civilian service otherwise, with prosecution for evaders. Up to 3 per cent of each intake may defer a year for Torah study.
Universal draftPreserve exemptions
Judiciaryparty lineA judiciary that is strong, independent and accountable, a Knesset that is sovereign, and a Basic Law: Legislation strengthening the Knesset's own authority.
Court can strike lawsKnesset can override
Economyparty lineWork should always pay more than a benefit, and benefits should follow need rather than sector. Break the concentration groups and open parallel imports.
Social spendingFree market
Educationparty lineCore studies are the condition for full public funding, with a national council setting the core, while budget and authority devolve to town halls and to heads.
State runs the schoolsParents and communities
Religion & Stateparty lineCivil union institutionalised in Israel, Shabbat in the public space left to each locality, and women seated on religious councils and on the assemblies that elect rabbis.
Civil / pluralistReligious authority
Nation & Citizenshipparty lineA solid Jewish majority for generations, set beside equal rights, equal duties and equal opportunity for every Israeli, with minority rights named explicitly.
Equal citizenshipJewish national state
