Shinuy – (change)

Leader: MK Yosef (Tommy) Lapid

Party leader, author, journalist and broadcaster before entering politics in 1999. Born in Yugoslavia, in 1931. Immigrated to Israel in 1948. Lives in Tel Aviv. Married with two children. Holds Law degree from Tel Aviv University. Former Director of Israel Broadcasting Authority, Chairman of Association of Cable Companies. Chairman of Sub-Committee on Foreign Affairs. Serves on two Knesset committees: Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee.

Number of seats in the Keneset: 15. Number of seats in previous Keneset: 6

About Shinui

Shinui is a reformist party, the name Shinui is Hebrew for "Change", or according to some definitions - "Reform". Shinui was established as a reformist political party in 1974, in response to what was seen then as serious shortcomings in government subsequent to the events leading to the Yom Kippur war. They define themselves also as a Liberal Party, in the European understanding of the term "Liberal" which means "reform" or "progressive", though they are not associated with the Jewish religious movements also known as "Reform" or "Progressive".

Shinuy’s political and social philosophy is a belief that the rights of the individual are supreme, and that all legislation must be measured against that principle. Their policies on political, social, and economic issues placed them originally closer to the left side of the political map than at the center, and today they have a small tilt to the right. Originally they differed from the left in that they do not accept their Socialist policies.

In the 1999 General Election Shinui increased its representation in the Knesset from one seat to six. However, their success in that election was not primarily based on their economic policies but because Shinui was the first party ever, to insist that on no account would we join in a government that included the ultra-Orthodox parties. Shinui was offered to join the government but refused the demands of the ultra-Orthodox parties. They lost the chance then, for ministerial positions in the government, but they retained their integrity, and many believe that this is what brought them into so much power on these elections. Much of their campaign was based on their honesty, sticking to their ideals and fighting corruptions,

Shinui’s basic principals are: 

Believes strongly that orthodox Jews should be recruited into the army and should not be given any benefits 
 
Free market economy based on liberal principals. 
 
Israel should be democratic state, which offers its citizens freedom and equality. 
 
Shinui differs from Meretz and the labour party mainly in its social and economical approach - liberal economy, as opposed to socialism and centralist economy. 
 
shinui believe in freedom of religion, and we strongly oppose religious coercion. 
 
shinui fight against the national scandal of the exemption of orthodox youth from army service. 
 
shinui do not alienate religion, and we see all currents in judaism as equal. 
 
shinui believe in mutual understanding and respect as basis to healthy society. 
 
Shinui is a member of The Liberal International since 1986. 

Or in more Details (from shinui’s website):

A Secular State

Shinui fights against religious coercion and for a secular state with room for all opinions and beliefs. Extortion and exploitation of the public treasury for religious purposes have to end. The ultra-Orthodox establishment is a threat to the orderly administration of a free society and to the individual freedom that characterizes a democratic state. Attempts to turn Israel into a state based on Halacha (Jewish religious law) endanger our future. We seek to separate state and religion, while preserving the country's Zionist character.

The Peace Process

Shinui supports the peace process. However, Arafat is not a partner for peace, and negotiations have to be conducted with moderate Palestinians. The cessation of terror is an indispensable condition for progress in the diplomatic negotiations. Illegal outposts must be evacuated immediately. As part of the peace arrangements, Israel will also have to leave settlements scattered in the heart of Palestinian populations, but Israel will not evacuate settlement blocs, and these will be integrated within Israel's borders. There are also large settlements, which will be subject to negotiation. We are committed to setting up a separation fence as a partial defense against the frequency of terrorist infiltrations. At the end of the peace process, we will have to find a modus vivendi for Jerusalem, to enable both sides to coexist in peace, with respect for the holy sites of all the three religions. A Palestinian state will be established only after the Palestinians renounce their right to return.

A Free-Market Economy

We represent the middle classes, that are the backbone of Israeli society. In our opinion, the middle class pays too much in taxes and receives too little in return. A reduction in taxes will free up investment funds that will start the wheels of the economy turning once again, thereby providing jobs for the unemployed. We see ourselves as representing professionals, the self-employed, business proprietors, managers and administrative staff, high-tech staffers, those in the standing army, farmers, professors and teachers, pensioners and students. We are the voice of the productive, creative, cultured layer of Israeli society -- those who pay taxes and serve in the military reserves, who believe in law and order, who despise corruption, who suffer from bureaucracy, and who unashamedly believe in Zionism.

The rate of privatization has to be accelerated and the state must relinquish its heavy involvement in the business sector. Within the globalization process, Israel has to be part of the Western economy and we unreservedly support a free market economy, scientific and technological development and high-tech industries. The role of trade unions is to take care of workers' welfare, but the Histadrut has become a political organization serving party-political interests and does not operate for the benefit of the economy. The state's job in economic development is to invest in infrastructure.

Military Service

Shinui believes that the Tal Law, which grants legitimization to draft dodgers, is a national tragedy. The Tal Law rewards a prize for evasion of service. It inflicts severe damage on the principle of equality and endangers our security. Every Jewish youngster who is healthy in mind and in body must serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for the same period of time and under the same conditions. This obligation is binding also for yeshiva students, except when the IDF decides, from professional considerations, not to recruit him. In such a case, he is entitled to go out to earn a living in the workplace, and not have to remain trapped in a yeshiva. The Ministry of Defense has to pay proper compensation for reserve army service, especially to those who serve prolonged periods in combat units.

Education And Culture

The state has to strive to provide free education from kindergarten to university. Education must impart humanistic, democratic, Liberal and pluralistic values. A core curriculum, giving the foundation for the knowledge and education to eventually integrate autonomous individuals in an information-rich society and educate them to personal, social, national and Zionist commitment, must be taught in all schools, of all streams. Shinui will act to enhance the standing of teachers and school principals and to improve their training. Shinui advocates equal opportunities in education, in order to reduce gaps and to give every schoolchild the chance to fulfill his/her potential. Better staff and larger budgets must be directed to the outlying districts and for the weaker strata of society. The Ministry of Education will not subsidize educational institutions that do not teach Zionism, civics, mathematics, science and English. Shinui views higher education as the basis for the nation's scientific and technological advancement.

Health

Everyone is entitled to the health benefits made possible by medical science. The health system at present does not meet this criterion. The state has to make every financial, organizational and scientific effort to ensure preventative health services for every healthy person and skilled medical treatment for every sick person. At the same time, private medical services should be encouraged to develop, since they ease the heavy burden that is overloading the public health services.

The Legal System

Shinui sees the law courts in Israel as the backbone of Israeli democracy. While not exempt from criticism, the courts have to be defended because of the anti-democratic forces conspiring against them. Every effort must be made to strengthen the rule of law. The Ministry of Justice has to allocate the requisite resources to shorten legal processes. The excessive authority of the rabbinical courts must be curtailed and their powers transferred to civil courts.

Basic Laws

Shinui supports the passing of more Basic Laws, in order to consolidate a constitution for the country. The very first priority is to pass a Basic Law on Legislation, so that the legal framework is laid down for Basic Law legislation. Then, a Law on Freedom of Religion must be passed, in order to establish equality between the different streams of Judaism and to liberate citizens from the arbitrary rulings of the religious establishment.

Bureaucracy

Shinui battles capricious bureaucracy and waste. Public administration must be made more efficient and officials must interfere less in citizens' lives.

Integrity

Shinui champions integrity in public life and combats corruption at every level of government. Clean administration and the rule of law are essential conditions for correctly regulated public life.

Division of Resources

Shinui demands a new division of the nation's resources. The billions earmarked for religious purposes have to be used for more essential requirements: Less to religious needs and more for social needs. Less to religious needs and more for health. Less to religious needs and more to education and science. Less to religious needs and more for culture and the arts.

The Jewish World

Close contact with the Jewish world is of prime importance to Shinui. The centrality of Israel in Jewish consciousness must be enhanced through educational activity among secular and religious Jewish youngsters worldwide. The damage inflicted by the religious establishment in Israel on the Reform and Conservative streams hinders the majority of Diaspora Jewry in their affiliation with Israel, leading to rifts within the Jewish people.

Immigration and Absorption

The Law of Return is the foundation stone of Israel as a Jewish and Zionist state. The state must invest every effort to increase immigration and to create the conditions for immigrants to be quickly absorbed in the nation's social, economic and cultural life. The ultra-Orthodox persecution of 'mixed' immigrant families from the former Soviet Union must be stopped.

Women's Rights

Every woman is entitled to realize her full potential and to equal opportunities in any job and situation, including equal pay for equal work. Equality of rights should also apply to ultra-Orthodox women, who are at present greatly discriminated-against. Any law or procedure that hinders women's equality, on the grounds of Jewish religious law, will be abolished. In addition, great efforts must be made to reduce domestic violence, the sexual exploitation of women and girls, and sexual harassment.

University / College Students

Shinui considers university students to be Israel's future as a progressive and developed Western state. The enormous sums that flow to yeshivas and to yeshiva students must be diverted to the universities and their students, in order to upgrade academic levels and to lower fees, until fees can be totally abolished. Colleges are an expression of the fact that the field of higher education also needs private enterprise. The subsidies for college fees must be made the same as for university fees.

Concern For Pensioners

People who have worked all their lives, supporting their family, deserve a dignified old age. Israeli society sins unforgivably when it condemns pensioners, who depend on the National Insurance allowance, to lives of humiliation and distress.

Equality For Gays

Shinui upholds the struggle of the homosexual-lesbian community against all discrimination based on sexual orientation and for equal rights of single-sex couples, including the right to adopt children.

The Environment

Shinui champions efforts on behalf of the environment, to protect flora and fauna, to prevent cruelty to animals, to preserve archeological sites and to create a more beautiful Israel. Shinui initiated the Law of the Commissioner for Future Generations, to prevent irreparable environmental damage.

Road Accidents

The carnage on the roads is, Shinui believes, a national disaster. The government must make the fight against road accidents a top priority and it must designate massive budgets to the upgrading of road and rail infrastructure. Greater emphasis must be placed on educating youngsters to caution on the roads, while also imposing more severe penalties on culpable drivers.

Civil Rights

Shinui believes that every citizen is entitled to decide what to believe, what to eat, what and where to buy, when and where to travel, where to go for entertainment, whom and how to marry, and how to be buried. Freedom of expression and freedom of association are the cornerstones of democratic life.

The Declaration Of Independence

Shinui upholds the basic values of Israel as a Zionist and Jewish state, open to every Jew, a state ruled by law in which the minorities have equal rights, in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence.

Shinui card