Election issues
Religion and state – Party Positions for the 2026 Election
What the parties say about this issue
A documented position was found for 12 of the 38 parties we checked
How do we determine a position?
We check the party's current official platform first, and where none exists, its official website or public policy documents, ranked by reliability: a current platform outranks an official website, which outranks a policy document, which outranks an official statement or high-quality reporting. We never guess or infer a position that isn't explicitly written in one of these sources — when nothing clear was found, we say so directly instead of estimating.
What do the parties say?
Positions gathered from each party's official platform and other public sources. A missing position is stated explicitly — never hidden or guessed.
YasharShare
The party has no dedicated religion-and-state plan, but two of its plans include positions on the topic. Its immigrant-absorption plan commits to institutionalizing civil partnership, respectful conversion processes, and giving local authorities and communities more independence to shape Shabbat in the public sphere; its local-government plan commits to transferring management of religious services from religious councils to local authorities, to city rabbis chosen by the local council, and to each authority shaping its own Shabbat by a special-majority council decision and a public-participation process. Separately, its National Service for All law includes a deferral quota for yeshiva students (see Recruitment).
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Legislative activity on this topic — Religion and state
Yashar
1 bill found
הצעת חוק שירותי הדת היהודיים (תיקון - כהונת רבני עיר), התשפ"א-2020
Initiators from the party:
TogetherShare
"Jewish identity yes, religious coercion no": ending the Rabbinate's exclusivity — a civil union, recognizing international kashrut and conversion by community rabbis too — Shabbat public transit decided by each local authority, and public funding only for institutions teaching a 100% core curriculum.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Legislative activity on this topic — Religion and state
Together
4 bills found
הצעת חוק איסור הונאה בכשרות (תיקון - מתן תעודת הכשר על ידי רב מקומי), התשפ"ג-2023
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק לתיקון פקודת העדה הדתית (המרה) (גיור על ידי רב עיר), התשפ"ג-2023
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק שירותי הדת היהודיים (תיקון - דין משמעתי לרבני ערים), התשפ"ג-2023
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק הקמת מאגר מידע דיגיטלי בנושא הכשרות מקצועיות, התשפ"ג-2022
Initiators from the party:
The DemocratsShare
They propose a civil track for marriage and divorce, commit to breaking the Rabbinate's monopoly on kashrut and conversion, and propose public transportation on Shabbat with local arrangements suited to each community's character.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Legislative activity on this topic — Religion and state
The Democrats
7 bills found
הצעת חוק המרכז למורשת ארגון אליאנס: כל ישראל חברים, התשפ"ו-2025
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק חג המימונה, התשפ"ד-2023
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק איסור הונאה בכשרות (תיקון - פיקוח על מחירי תעודת הכשר), התשע"ג-2013
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק הדיינים (תיקון - כשירות למנהל בתי הדין הרבניים), התשע"ה-2015
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק שירותי הדת היהודיים (תיקון – דין משמעתי לרבני ערים), התשע"ו–2016
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק הדיינים (תיקון - כשירות למנהל בתי הדין הרבניים), התשע"ג-2013
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק שירותי הדת היהודיים (תיקון - דין משמעתי לרבני ערים), התשע"ג-2013
Initiators from the party:
Yisrael BeiteinuShare
Separating religion and state: one chief rabbi for the country, abolishing religious councils, ending yeshiva stipends, and offering civil marriage and divorce. In addition, under the party's plan on religion and state (6.10.2026): repealing legislation from the last Knesset term, abolishing the exemption institutions in their current form, direct supervision of the Haredi education networks, and a set procedure for appointing rabbis. Under the platform also: transferring all powers over opening businesses and running public transport on Shabbat to the local authorities, and adequate representation of women and of all Jewish sectors on the Chief Rabbinate Council.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Legislative activity on this topic — Religion and state
Yisrael Beiteinu
3 bills found
הצעת חוק הסדרת שוק הכשרות בישראל, התשפ"ג-2023
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק לתיקון פקודת העדה הדתית (המרה) (גיור על ידי רב מקומי וראש ישיבה), התשפ"ג-2022
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק חג המימונה, התשפ"ג-2023
Initiators from the party:
NoamShare
Noam LeYisrael focuses on reinforcing the state's Jewish identity: Shabbat observance, legislation informed by Jewish law, and strengthening state religious institutions.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
No related legislation was found in the site's data.
Blue and WhiteShare
A Jewish and democratic state that strengthens settlement and encourages immigration, an open, tolerant "Beit Hillel" approach to Judaism, expanding local authorities' power to shape Shabbat's character in their jurisdiction and to tailor religion-and-state powers to each community, and registering civil marriages.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
No related legislation was found in the site's data.
Miluimnikim–EconomicShare
The Reservists
Official websiteA position focused specifically on equal service burden rather than the broader religion-and-state agenda: an equal service duty for every citizen regardless of religion, and conditioning public rights and benefits on serving.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
No related legislation was found in the site's data.
Share
Protecting the status of full-time Torah scholars from arrest and sanctions, alongside strengthening the Torah world's economic independence.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
Share
Orot HaShachar proposes letting local authorities decide on public transit on Shabbat, preserving conversion according to Jewish law, and reexamining the kashrut supervision system.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
"מוסד הרבנות ייסגר לאלתר על כל סמכויותיו ומוסדותיו, ואת מקומו תתפוס חוקה אשר בבסיסה "ברית עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים" ותורת משה הכתובה."
Shown in Hebrew, as published by the party. Not yet translated.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
Share
Shema proposes banning government support for same-sex relationships, banning same-sex marriage and pride parades, and establishing punishment for marital infidelity.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
Share
"נבטל את המושג ״רב מטעם״ — מנהיגים רוחניים ורבני קהילות ייבחרו באופן ישיר על ידי הציבור והקהילה אותם הם משרתים."
Shown in Hebrew, as published by the party. Not yet translated.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
LikudShare
No clear position foundThe six principles Likud publishes do not address religion and state.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Legislative activity on this topic — Religion and state
Likud
1 bill found
הצעת חוק הרבנות הראשית לישראל (תיקון - מינוי רבנים שהוסמכו לרבנות על ידי מועצת הרבנות הראשית לישראל), התשפ"ה-2024
Initiators from the party:
No position is currently shown on this topic
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Legislative activity on this topic — Religion and state
The Joint List (Hadash-Ta'al-Balad)
1 bill found
הצעת חוק שירותי הדת היהודיים (תיקון – דין משמעתי לרבני ערים), התשע"ו–2016
Initiators from the party:
ShasShare
No current platform foundNo current official platform was found for this party.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Legislative activity on this topic — Religion and state
Shas
7 bills found
הצעת חוק הדיינים (תיקון - מינוי דיין עמית בבית הדין הרבני הגדול), התשפ"ג-2023
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק ביטול הרפורמה בכשרות (תיקוני חקיקה), התשפ"ג-2022
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק להסדרת שירותי ההשגחה על הכשרות, התשפ"ג-2022
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק גיור ממלכתי בישראל, התשפ"ג-2022
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק שירותי הדת היהודיים (תיקון - מינוי רבני התיישבות, רבנים אזוריים ורבני שכונות), התשפ"ג-2022
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק בתי דין רבניים (הקדשות רבניים), התשפ"ד-2024
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק איסור הונאה בכשרות (תיקון - ביטול רפורמת הכשרות), התשפ"ג-2023
Initiators from the party:
United Torah JudaismShare
No current platform foundNo current official platform was found for this party.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Legislative activity on this topic — Religion and state
United Torah Judaism
4 bills found
הצעת חוק הדיינים (תיקון - מינוי דיין עמית בבית הדין הרבני הגדול), התשפ"ג-2023
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק חסינות רבנים, התשפ"ג-2023
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק הדיינים (תיקון - כשירות הרבנים הראשיים לישראל), התשפ"ג-2023
Initiators from the party:
הצעת חוק איסור הונאה בכשרות (תיקון - הגדרת המינוח כשר לעניין הטעיה), התשפ"ג-2023
Initiators from the party:
Otzma YehuditShare
No current platform foundNo current official platform was found for this party.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
No related legislation was found in the site's data.
No clear position foundNo dedicated, detailed party platform document on religion and state was found ahead of the 2026 election.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
No related legislation was found in the site's data.
Ra'amShare
No current platform foundNo current official platform was found for this party.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
No related legislation was found in the site's data.
Amcha YisraelShare
No position is currently shown on this topic
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
Tzomet–Beit YisraelShare
No position is currently shown on this topic
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
No related legislation was found in the site's data.
Israel FirstShare
No clear position foundNo dedicated religion-and-state policy (such as marriage, conversion, kashrut, or Shabbat transit) was found in the work plan.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
No related legislation was found in the site's data.
Share
Not yet reviewedWe haven't checked this party's official sources yet.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
Not yet reviewedWe haven't checked this party's official sources yet.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
No clear position found
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
Share
Not yet reviewedWe haven't checked this party's official sources yet.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
Share
No clear position foundNo sufficiently concrete religion-and-state policy was found. Interfaith dialogue and faith appear in the platform, but are not themselves a policy position on this topic.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
Share
No clear position foundNo clear treatment of this topic was found in the platform.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
Share
No clear position found
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
Share
Not yet reviewedWe haven't checked this party's official sources yet.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
No clear position found
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
Share
Not yet reviewedWe haven't checked this party's official sources yet.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
Share
No clear position found
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
Share
Not yet reviewedWe haven't checked this party's official sources yet.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
Share
Not yet reviewedWe haven't checked this party's official sources yet.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
Share
Not yet reviewedWe haven't checked this party's official sources yet.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
Share
Not yet reviewedWe haven't checked this party's official sources yet.
Legislative activity on this topic
About this data
This is based on legislation documented on the site that party members were involved in and that was classified under this topic. It does not necessarily represent the party's full legislative activity or its official position on the topic.
For sitting party members, this covers the 25th Knesset only; for those no longer serving, it covers their full Knesset tenure.
Not enough information is currently available to show legislative activity on this topic.
Want a deeper comparison?
Choose two parties for a full platform comparison, including this issue and every other topic.