Who they are
Born in Isfiya in 1958 to Raslan Abu Rukun, who headed the village council from 1965 to 1988, he was drafted in 1977 and trained as a military government officer. He served as military governor of Tulkarm, headed the Civil Administration from 2005, and later ran the Defense Ministry's land crossings authority. In 2018 he became the second Druze officer promoted to major general, and headed COGAT until 2021.
Positions and record
Druze-state relations: Repair the covenant strained by the Nation-State Law.
Unity: Solidarity between communities as a security asset.
Administration: Professional management of security and civil affairs.
PA elections: Said in 2021 that if Hamas won planned Palestinian Authority elections he would recommend Israel end all security cooperation with the PA, and warned that letting East Jerusalem vote risked a Hamas win.
Where they stand
Breaks with the party line on 1 issue, marked below.
Judea & Samariapersonal positionAs COGAT chief he warned that annexing the West Bank would trigger violence and rupture PA security cooperation, and called Abbas a genuine partner Israel mishandled -- more cautious than the party's neutral stance.
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 lineEvery citizen is called up, to the army first and to civilian service otherwise, and those who dodge it face prosecution and civil sanctions. Each year no more than 3% of those due to enlist can be exempted, and everyone else serves. The party does not say who would qualify.
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 pay more than a benefit, with priority always going to those who serve and work. Break up the concentration groups and open the market to 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, with equal rights, duties and opportunities for every Israeli and minority rights named explicitly, in a state that stays Jewish and democratic in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence.
Equal citizenshipJewish national state
