Before elections, everyone makes promises. But usually, to understand who stands for what, you have to waste hours searching the internet for interview clips and second-hand quotes. Civil Compass changes that: residents ask, parties answer in writing, and all answers are published on our website. Anyone can find, compare, and remember.

Unfortunately, not everyone answers. And that is also important to know before heading to the ballot box.

Example: This is how they answer

Yesterday we met with Member of Knesset Vladimir Beliak (Yachad party), a member of the Knesset Finance Committee and someone who deeply understands how money determines the state's priorities.

Vladimir received the residents' questions in advance, answered them in writing, and presented an annual report. A big thank you to Vladimir for taking the time to meet with Civil Compass representatives and explain the party's priorities. We will be returning to this conversation more than once.

The priorities of Yachad, as we understood them from Vladimir's answers:

1. Benefits for those who serve in the military, including significant assistance in purchasing an apartment.

2. Reduction of support for those who do not serve, and equality in the burden.

3. Assistance to new immigrants: tax benefits and employment integration.

4. Aging with dignity: a new mechanism for calculating allowances for senior citizens.

There are many more positions; it is impossible to fit everything into one post.

A sharp question about Gaza also came up. The answer did not satisfy one of the participants. Vladimir answered very correctly: respect the professionalism of a politician, even if you don't like something. That is why we rely on politicians to run the country.

MK Vladimir Beliak's profile on Civil Compass:

https://www.amechad.info/knesset/bt21e7j0w4z6p6cf7aij2uis/

Another example. Itamar Ben Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party sent a response, documents, and a plan following an inquiry by a social worker. She shared through our platform that she works hard with children, and at today's prices, her salary is not enough to live on. The answer: this is a complex issue that must be addressed.

The main thing: we received an answer. We go to everyone who gives citizens clear, written answers.

Link to the meeting with MK Itamar Ben Gvir in Netanya:

https://otzma-francophones.pages.dev/bengvir?r=mr9aut

Otzma Yehudit party's profile on Civil Compass:

https://www.amechad.info/knesset#candidate-ejnuc0wqg5hucl4jaftqa30y/

Who is silent: We send citizens' questions to everyone: to Likud, the religious parties, and the Arab parties. The questions arrive. There are no answers. Sometimes we are suggested to search on our own in open sources.

That is also an answer. This is what the attitude toward the voter looks like.

Promises are measured by the budget

An answer before the elections is only the beginning. After the elections, together with other citizens, we will check how promises are fulfilled. And that is seen not in speeches, but in the budget: where the money goes, the country goes.

For example, education in the 2024 and 2025 budgets is clearly not a priority. The meaning: fewer teachers, more students in the classroom, and lower test scores. If the budget for social workers does not increase, the promise remains just words.

This is exactly what Civil Compass does: explains in simple language how to understand from the budget whether politicians are keeping their promises.

After the elections: Netanya

In November, Civil Compass will dedicate more time to Netanya's budget. We were unable to find the 2025 budget execution report. When we showed Vladimir Beliak, an accountant by profession, the 2024 budget execution, his reaction was brief: "Problem."

This problem manifests as piles of garbage in the streets and the fact that residents do not understand what is happening behind the walls of the fortress called the municipality. Mayor Avi Salman receives our letters, but we have not yet managed to schedule a meeting with him. We are preparing a "Civil Budget" program so that every resident can compare promises with actual expenditures. A similar group is already operating in Ashdod.

And most importantly

Whoever did not vote cannot demand the fulfillment of promises.

If we don't go out to vote, all the talk about budgets will end in piles of garbage in the streets, complaints about rats, and blows at road blockades.

Citizens, Jews, we must communicate. We go vote and respect one another.

Ask the parties your question on the Civil Compass website. And share the post.

Dr. Gutnik

Civil Compass

www.amechad.info