Far-right Noam confirms its demand for body to ‘strengthen Jewish identity’

The sole lawmaker in the anti-LGBT Noam faction, who was elected as part of far-right Religious Zionism slate, confirms that his main coalition demand in the ongoing government formation negotiations is to create an office to strengthen Jewish identity.

In MK Avi Maoz’s vision, a “growth unit for strengthening Jewish identity” would be created under the Prime Minister’s Office as part of his principle of “identity security,” which he defines as “who are we and what are we” as a Jewish people.

The two other ideological legs upon which Maoz says his tiny party stands are “military and physical security,” and “economic security,” two key issues for Israeli voters.

Despite its size, Noam has pushed to negotiate separately with Likud to form the next coalition. It has most made headlines in recent days in connection to sexual assault allegations enveloping its religious leader, Rabbi Zvi Tau.

Tau has been accused of using his position as a senior rabbi in the national religious community to sexually assault several women over a period of decades.