Israeli Politics and A New Opinion

First I'd like to say that my prayers are with Ariel Sharon and his family. Mr. Sharon is a true founding father in the State of Israel. With the recent turmoil surrounding the current political climate in Israel I thought it would be a good time to go over some of the political parties in Israel and what they traditionally represent.

Starting from the left you have:
Meretz - This is the far left Israeli political party. Their members consider themselves "Israeli not Jewish", They advocate the integration of all foreign workers as citizens of Israel. They would also wipe out any reference to Jewishness in Israeli political life. In short, they want the busses running on Saturdays.

Labor - This is the main left of center party in Israel. They pioneered the idea of returning land for peace. Up until the past election they had been led by Shimon Perez. In the past election they shifted decidedly leftward by election Peretz whose philosophies are more in line with traditional Meretz ideas. This party is also quite anti-secular. Not unlike the Democrats in America. Palestinians.

Likud Founded in part by Ariel Sharon the Likud is the main right of center party in Israel. The Likud had traditionally been opposed to the idea of returning land for peace. They founded the settler movement and originally advocated the idea of keeping the occupied lands. Their membership is made up of secular and non-secular Israelis and they are traditionally more supportive of secular ideas and programs.

A major philosophical difference between Labor and Likud is with their dealings with the Palestinians. Likud believes that it is impossible to negotiate with the Palestinians. They believe that the only path to peace is through unilateral action. Labor, on the other hand still would prefer diplomatic means to negotiate peace.

The newest party in Israel is called Kadima. Founded by Ariel Sharon this centrist party has been established to complete the Sharons disengagement plan. The basis for that plan is as follows. A complete disengagement of the Palestinians including pulling out of many west bank settlements in addition to a complete withdrawal from Gaza. Followed by the completion of the separation barrier which will be used to determine the borders of the new countries. The unilateral approach means that the Israelis alone will determine the borders of this new State.