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Derekh Eretz (political faction)

Derekh Eretz () 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Leaders

Knesset members

Election results

References