The left in Israel is
fragmenting. In order for it to survive, it must seek a new alliance that can
give it a chance to regain power in Israel. The right wing coalition
in Israel is moving away from democracy and human values. Even the Netanyahu Coalition is subordinate to
the illegal right wing settler movements, who have been raising their ugly
heads and establishing wild card
settlements on lands that belong to the Palestinians. The latest settler activities go against the law and
decisions of the Israeli Courts. They have never had it so good with coalition
support.
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| Meretz Leader, Zahava Gal-on |
If the left in Israel is
not united it will remain a weak opposition and will strengthen the ruling
right wing. Support for Meretz has remained static and is even diminishing. The
Israeli electorate has shifted to the right and are cutting off their noses to
spite their faces, especially when it comes to socio-economic issues. The
Israeli Electorate has many sectors that are becoming more religious. Pension
schemes (Kupot Gemel) are in the hands of tycoons
of the likes of Yitzhak Tshuva and their greedy capitalistic cartels. These tycoons borrow money from public
investments. Whether one likes it or not, if one has solid investments, it is
not so solid. Those who invest their savings for retirement must be aware of
this. The International Stock Exchange is on the verge of cyclical collapse and
this will affect us all whether we like it or not.
Housing prices for young
married couples are exorbitant and buying a home is impossible for many. This
will not change while piggish capitalism rules the roost and the government
runs after tycoons. It is a vicious circle!
All the social services
that the citizen is entitled will be less efficient and more expensive.
Education under the present Education Minister, Naphtali Bennett, of the
extremist Bayit Hayehudi Party, is no paragon of educational values when his
party flouts the Israeli Law Courts on decisions that go against the
ultra-nationalist settler movements that attempt to build on lands not
belonging to them.
The rule of law is
wavered when it comes to the right wing settler movements with government
coalition support that is unanimous. The heart of the right wing coalition is
with the settlers and this means that the taxpayer also has to foot the bill
for their folly.
These are just a few
examples of the price we pay for a tycoon-friendly government.
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| Joint List Leader MK, Aymen Oudeh |
The Zionist Union is
also showing a movement to the center and Meretz is on the verge of collapse. The Meretz Leader,
Zahava Gal-On, does smell the coffee and is seeking a new alliance. Peace Now had a convention recently in which
many personalities from the center-left, and left attended, including members
of the Joint List Party. She realizes that Meretz is doomed to the dustbin of
history if there is no true soul searching and strategy to gain support.
A common platform that
all parties on the left in Israel could support, despite their wide ideological
differences on many issues could be initiated. This new left alliance should
downplay the Zionist ideology part and place more emphasis on a common
citizenship that both Jewish and non-Jewish Israelis share. A common patriotism
shared by all Israel’s citizens for the good of Israel should be an essential
plank in this new common platform. It could embrace Meretz, Joint Arab List and
even the Zionist Camp. Balad that is part of the Joint List must also comply
with a platform for the common good of all Israel’s citizens. It also means an
improvement of quality of life and more confidence in Israel’s economy. It will
also render the BDS Movement obsolete. This would go a long way in solving the
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and ending the occupation for the good of all
Israelis. The static, non-movement towards a solution is bad for both Israel
and the Palestinians. Serious negotiations with authority and vision is
essential to put an end to this tragic conflict. A new left alliance will have
the tools to solve this conflict.
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