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Yisrael Beiteinu (literally "Israel is Our Home") was founded in 1999 by Avigdor Lieberman, born 1958 in Kishinev (Moldova), made aliyah 1978. The party platform is secular nationalism, Russian-Israeli interests, hawkish security, civil marriage, and anti-haredi (against military exemptions). It has held 5-15 Knesset seats since 1999. Lieberman served as Foreign Minister (2009-12), Defense Minister (2016-18), and Finance Minister (2021-22). The voter base is 60-80% Russian-Israeli, secular, working-class.
Cultural note, Yisrael Beiteinu represents a unique political position: secular but right-wing on security, anti-religious-establishment but Zionist nationalist. Lieberman's vision: civil marriage, drafting haredim, demographic boundary changes (the "Lieberman Plan"). Russian-speaking voters are more likely to be loyal to YB than to Likud or Labor. The party formed varying coalitions, sometimes with Netanyahu, sometimes against. As of 2024, Lieberman remains the most influential Russian-Israeli politician.
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Voter Base
Lieberman Campaigns in Bat Yam
Avigdor Lieberman speaks at a Bat Yam rally.