Also known by the Hebrew acronym Mafdal. An Israeli political party formed in 1956. It promotes Judaism in public spheres (education, marriage, etc.) rather than the separation of religion and state, and believes in increasing a Jewish presence in the biblical land of Israel through the expansion of settlements. The party opposes a Palestinian state within the boundaries of the biblical land of Israel and thus refuses to recognize the Palestinian Authority. Since 2006, the party has run for elections in a partnership with the National Unity party. See “National Union-National Religious Party.” 4 February 2009. YNet News. 30 September 2011. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3499279,00.html.  http://www.justvision.org/glossary/national-religious-party-mafdal