Liberal Party of Israel facts for kids

The Israeli Liberal Party (Hebrew: מפלגה ליברלית ישראלית‎‎‎, Miflaga Libralit Yisraelit) was a political party that was active in Israel during the 1950s and 1960s. This party was formed when two other political groups, the Progressive Party and the General Zionists, decided to join together.

The Israeli Liberal Party

What Was the Israeli Liberal Party?

The Israeli Liberal Party was officially created in 1961. It came about because two older political groups, the Progressive Party and the General Zionists, decided to combine their efforts. By teaming up, they hoped to have a bigger and stronger influence in the Israeli government and its decisions.

What Did They Believe In?

The Liberal Party had some clear ideas about how the country should be run. They were generally what is called fiscally conservative. This means they believed the government should be very careful with money, spend wisely, and try to keep taxes low. They thought this approach would help the country's economy grow stronger.

However, on many other issues, they were considered left-centrist. This means they were often in the middle of the political spectrum, but leaned a bit towards ideas that supported social programs and helping all citizens. They tried to balance economic freedom with social responsibility.

How Did They Change?

The Israeli Liberal Party did not stay the same for very long. In 1963, they made a big decision. They joined forces with another important political party called Herut, which was led by Menachem Begin. When these two parties came together, they formed a new, larger political group known as Gahal. This merger marked the end of the Israeli Liberal Party as a separate group, but its ideas continued within the new alliance.