Derekh Eretz (political faction)
Derekh Eretz דרך ארץ | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Yoaz Hendel Zvi Hauser |
| Founded | March 2020 |
| Dissolved | September 2025 |
| Split from | Telem Blue and White |
| Merged into | The Reservists |
| Headquarters | Mana St. 11, Tel Aviv |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Right-wing (self-described)[1] |
| National affiliation | New Hope (2021–2022) |
| Colours | Blue |
| Knesset | 0 / 120 |
| Website | |
| derech-eretz | |
Derekh Eretz (Hebrew: דרך ארץ, lit. 'The Way of the Land') was an Israeli parliamentary faction formed in March 2020 by Members of Knesset Yoaz Hendel and Zvi Hauser following their split from the Telem faction. The group was active mainly during the 23rd and 24th Knessets and was later affiliated with the New Hope party. In September 2025, the faction ceased to operate following Hendel’s announcement of a new political framework, The Reservists.
History
Formation
Derekh Eretz was established in March 2020 after Yoaz Hendel and Zvi Hauser left the Telem faction, which was part of the Blue and White alliance. The split was formally registered with the Knesset, resulting in the creation of a separate parliamentary faction.[2]
2020 election and Blue and White
In the March 2020 legislative election, Hendel and Hauser were elected to the Knesset on the Blue and White list. Blue and White received 1,220,381 votes and won 33 seats, according to the official results published by the Central Elections Committee.[3]
Following the election, Derekh Eretz supported the formation of a national unity government led by Likud and Blue and White, a stance that differentiated the faction from parts of the opposition within the alliance.[4]
Alignment with New Hope
Ahead of the 2021 elections, Hendel and Hauser joined Gideon Sa'ar’s New Hope party. Both served as Members of Knesset representing New Hope during the 24th Knesset, effectively integrating Derekh Eretz into that political framework.[5]
Dissolution
On 18 September 2025, Yoaz Hendel announced the creation of a new political party, The Reservists. Following this announcement, Derekh Eretz ceased to operate as an independent parliamentary faction.[6][7]
Political position
Derekh Eretz was generally described by Israeli political analysts as a centre-right faction advocating liberal conservative positions, support for state institutions, and a pragmatic approach to governance and national security. Its positioning was discussed in the context of centre-right realignments in Israeli politics during the early 2020s.[8]
Leaders
| Leader | Took office | Left office | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yoaz Hendel | 2020 | Present | ||
| Zvi Hauser | 2020 | Present | ||
Knesset members
| Knesset term | Members | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2020–2021 | 2 | Yoaz Hendel, Zvi Hauser |
| 2021–2022 | 1 | Zvi Hauser |
Election results
| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/− | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Yoaz Hendel Zvi Hauser |
Part of Blue and White | 2 / 120
|
– | Coalition government | |
| 2021 | Part of New Hope | 1 / 120
|
1 | Coalition government | ||
References
- ^ Wootliff, Raoul (9 December 2020). "Sa'ar party gets first boost as Derech Eretz MKs Hendel, Hauser join up". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ^ "מידע על הסיעות בכנסת – היסטוריית סיעות". Knesset (in Hebrew). Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ^ "תוצאות הבחירות לכנסת ה-23 – תוצאות סופיות רשמיות". Central Elections Committee (in Hebrew). Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ^ "Member of Blue and White-led bloc says he'll back annexation even if Gantz won't". The Times of Israel. 18 June 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ^ "Does the Yamina and Derech Eretz Merger Bring More Benefits Than Harm?". Israel Democracy Institute. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ^ "Former center-right minister Yoaz Hendel forms new 'Reservists' party". The Times of Israel. 18 September 2025. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ^ "Reservists Party accuses Likud of pressuring registrar to block its registration". The Jerusalem Post. 3 December 2025. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ^ "Does the Yamina and Derech Eretz Merger Bring More Benefits Than Harm?". Israel Democracy Institute. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2025.