Shinui

Shinui (שינוי) is a Zionist, secular, liberal party in Israel. Shinui is member of the Liberal International. In the election of 2003 it gained 15 out of 120 Knesset seats, making it the third-largest party, after Likud and Labour. The party's leader is Joseph 'Tommy' Lapid. In Hebrew, the word Shinui literally means "change".

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Religion and state

Despite nearly 30 years of public support of Liberal-Capitalist economic and social policies, it best known platform plank is a call for separation of religion and state within the confines of Zionist ideology. It demands civil marriage (although it has opposed a bill to enact it in March 2004), the operation of public transportation, businesses, theaters, etc. on Saturdays (the Shabbat, Jewish Sabbath), removal of laws concerning selling and importing non-kosher food, drafting of Haredi Jews into the IDF, and a halt to payments to Haredi Yeshiva students.

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Because of such demands and the inflammatory tone of its current leadership, it is sometimes accused of being anti-religious or hating the religious, and so some, including many secular people who would otherwise agree with its platform, would not vote for it. The party's official position is that it does not oppose religion but merely seeks to mend the injustices that are being done on its behalf.

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Confirming to its liberal orientation, Shinu recently adopted a unanimous resolution to create an in-party forum for gay, lesbian bisexual and transgendered persons.

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Economy

Economically, Shinui supports a free market, privatization of public assets, and a lowering of taxes, especially taxes on the middle class. The party has also objected to the introduction of a progressive estate tax.

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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Shinui's position on Israeli-Palestinian conflict is in accord with the mainstream rightwing concensus. Shinui supports the anti-terrorism actions undertaken by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon,including direct targeting pf terrorist leaders (such as Ahmed Yassin).

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Shinui supports negotiation with the Palestinians concerning the final status and a Palestinian state, which would include removal of Israeli settlements and withdrawal from most of the West Bank and Gaza. It asserts that both the Right and Left mislead the public. The Right, by claiming that only force will solve the problem, and the Left, by claiming that there is a Palestinian partner for peace.

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Shinui strongly supports the Israeli West Bank barrier and Israel's unilateral disengagement plan of 2004 from the Gaza Strip.

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Political ethics and corruption

Shinui proclaimed itself as defender of political purity and lawful behavior (in Hebrew: טוהר המידות ושלטון החוק ). It promised to set an example for an uncorrupted party which its members aren't suspected in criminal affairs and financial irregularities. Shinui sees itself as an antithesis of the Mizrahi Haredi party Shas which they describe as "unenlightened," "primitive" and "corrupt".

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As such, Lapid asked and received the Ministries of Justice and Internal Affairs (the last was held formerly by Shas). Shinui also frequently praise the Supreme Court for Justice (BAGATZ) as protector of the law and moral values.

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Zionist: REDIRECT Zionism...

Secular: REDIRECT Secularity...

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