National Unity (Israel)

The party native name, pronounced HaMaḥane HaMamlakhti, creates a challenge for translation, mainly due to the uniqueness of the Hebrew word "Mamlakhti" (Hebrew: ממלכתי). The origin of the word is the Hebrew word for kingdom, Mamlakha (Hebrew: ממלכה), and it was coined by David Ben-Gurion as an ideological label to drive the power transfer from mandatory Palestine era civil organisations and political parties to the newly founded State of Israel. An example of its political usage is the 1953 "National/State education law" using the word "Mamlakhti" (Hebrew: חוק חינוך ממלכתי) that created the Israeli public education system, replacing several different education systems, run by political parties. The word is also used, still as an adjective, to describe moderate speech style, and views that are in the public consensus. It is used as well to describe the status of national events, and the expected way for politicians to behave while participating.

The word "HaMaḥane" (Hebrew: המחנה), literally: "The Camp" or "The Campsite" was often used in former political collaborations in Israeli politics. Examples are "HaMaḥane HaLeumi" (Hebrew: המחנה הלאומי), translated to "The National Camp" used to describe different parties in Benjamin Netanyahu's coalitions over the years, "HaMaḥane HaZioni" (Hebrew: המחנה הציוני) translated literally to "The Zionist Camp" or "Zionist Union" was a technical block containing Israeli Labour party, HaTnuah, and other allies. "HaMaḥane HaDemocrati" (Hebrew: המחנה הדמוקרטי) "The Democratic Camp" or as commonly referred to: "Democratic Union" was also a technical block containing Meretz and several left wing parties. The use of the Hebrew word "Maḥane" (Hebrew: מחנה) to describe an alliance is a reference to Biblical Hebrew, where being in the same camp, meant usually being part of an alliance, therefore the use of the word to describe alliances.

Israeli political experts suggested that the reason to use the word "HaMamlakhti" in the party name was to differentiate from more extreme right wing parties, and to imply the party ideology is moderate, in comparison to Likud and Israel Beitenu. The name announcement has been criticized by other parties, which claim that they are moderate as well; by political rivals who say that being moderation as a label conceals a lack of ideology; and by the media, claiming that a fourth name change since 2019 was confusing and unnecessary, and created a trend for Israelis to refer to Gantz himself instead of the party.

Ballot paper used by the National Unity Party during the 2022 election

Gantz and Sa'ar announced an alliance between their two parties on 10 July,[6] which was initially called Blue and White The New Hope.[7] The alliance was joined by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot and former Yamina MK Matan Kahana on 14 August, at which point it was renamed the National Unity Party.[1] Yamina MK Shirly Pinto joined the party on 22 August.[8]

Five members of the party: Benny Gantz, Gadi Eizenkot, Gideon Sa'ar, Hili Tropper and Yifat Shasha-Biton, joined the Thirty-seventh government of Israel in October 2023, following the outbreak of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.[9]