Who they are
Born in 1979 and raised in Ramla, Ifargan took degrees in political science and public policy, commanded a basic-training company and entered the civil service through the first cohort of the Cadets for State Service programme. She ran the MAHAT technological education system, where she pushed through a half-billion-shekel reform of the colleges, then led the Labour Arm through the post-COVID labour market shock.
Positions and record
Vocational training: Wants it less bureaucratic, faster and far better matched to what employers actually need, changing the whole working method from the root.
Childcare subsidies: Argues the state should not spend hundreds of millions keeping Haredi men out of the labour force through daycare subsidies to parents who do not work.
Working hours: Would compute hours monthly or quarterly rather than daily, and says she does not believe in legislation dropped on the economy from above.
Haredi city plan: As head of the Employment Authority, warned that the planned all-Haredi city of Kasif in the Negev would carry significant negative consequences for Haredi residents, the Negev and the wider economy without major investment in local employment infrastructure; the outlet headlined her warning as a coming 'pocket of poverty.'
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
