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, which Eisenkot has never supported, but a pragmatic approach whose aim is to keep a Jewish majority and stop Israel becoming a binational state.
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
