Shinui

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Shinui (Hebrew for "Change") is a liberal Zionist secular party. The party was originally formed in 1974 as a protest movement under the name "Shinui - The political and social revival movement." The party joined forces with Yigal Yadin as part of the Dash Party in 1977, which garnered 15 Knesset seats and joined Menachem Begin's coalition. A year later, the Shinui faction of two seats split from the Dash Party. In the 1992 general elections, Shinui joined Ratz and Mapam to form the Meretz alignment, which entered Yitzhak Rabin's coalition. In 1996, when Ratz and Mapam solidified their union, the Shinui faction returned to its separate identity.

Palestinian Statehood

Shinui does not reject the notion of a Palestinian state as long as it is achieved within the framework of an agreement that ensures peace and secure borders for Israel.

Peace Process

Shinui supports the peace process and believes that painful concessions on both sides must be made to arrive at peace. However, any peace agreement must ensure Israel's security, the normalization of relations with the Palestinians and with neighboring countries and peace with the Arab world.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem should remain united under Israeli rule with respect for freedom of worship in the holy places of all religions.

Israeli Communities in the Territories (Settlements)

Shinui favors territorial compromise as a means for achieving peace and does not object to dismantlement of some settlements as a necessary precondition for a sustainable peace.

Demographic Issues

Believes Israel must invest every effort to increase aliyah and to create conditions that will enable immigrants to integrate quickly into the country's social, economic, and cultural life. Rejects amendments in the Law of Return is and views this legislation as the cornerstone of Israel's existence as a Jewish and Zionist nation.

Economy & Social Welfare

Shinui strongly supports a free market economy and privatization of state run businesses. Shinui also actively seeks a redistribution of the country's resources, redirecting the substantial funds that help support the ultra-orthodox community to more vital needs such as social welfare, health care, education, culture and art.

Shinui views army exemptions for ultra-orthodox men as a major economic and social inequity in Israeli society. The party argues that the ultra-orthodox community fails to shoulder its share of responsibilities yet enjoys full rights. Shinui rejects the current reality in which Israelis are forced to inconvenience and endanger themselves by serving time in the IDF while paying increased taxes to support ultra-orthodox scholars and (often) their families.

Religion & State

Shinui fights against religious coercion and calls for a secular state in which there is room for all shades of opinion and belief. Views funds secured by ultra-orthodox political parties for supporting their community as a form of extortion of public funds. Sees the ultra-orthodox establishment as a threat to individual liberties of citizens in a democratic state. Supports passage of a law on freedom of religion, to ensure a democratic constitution for Israel. This constitution would preserve the state's Jewish and Zionist character, while respecting the rights of minorities and guaranteeing individual rights in the spirit of the Proclamation of Independence. Strongly promotes the legislation of compulsory military or national service for all citizens, including the ultra-orthodox.