Labor suffers major defeat – Ehud Barak
Photo: Dudu Azulay
Different Left needed
Resounding leftist failure in recent elections must prompt far-reaching changes
Labor's and Meretz's collapse in the recent elections is so dramatic that it must prompt a genuine revolution in the perception of the Zionist Left. No longer should we see "self-reflection," which in Israel's political system usually means replacing a failed leader by an even more inadequate leader. No longer should we see eyes rolled up to heavens while blaming Livni, the nation, the PR experts, and whatnot.
The time has come to establish a different kind of Left, free of the axioms that made the old Left irrelevant. What does it mean in practice? Below are a few examples:
- Stop mortgaging all resources in favor of the Palestinian issue: Throughout the Western world, the Left entails a comprehensive worldview that includes civil, moral, economic, and environmental aspects. Only around here, being part of the leftist camp means mostly worrying about Mahmoud Abbas' wellbeing. Resolving the conflict with the Palestinians is critical, yet in practical and moral terms it can't be the only thing that matters.
- And speaking of the Palestinians: Perhaps the time has come to admit that the idea of "land for peace" was attempted twice in recent decades and achieved problematic results? The Left is allowed to keep on believing that the Gaza disengagement failed because it was not coordinated properly and that the Oslo Accord collapsed because Netanyahu violated it, yet perhaps it would be more productive to think in new directions: The Arab League's proposal? A diplomatic breakthrough vis-à-vis Syria? More massive international involvement in the negotiations?
- Formulate a clear socioeconomic vision vis-à-vis piggish capitalism: In a world where millions lose their place of work because of the greed of financial institutions, there is no shame in socialism. Rather, it is the call of the hour. In Israel, the Treasury has been controlled in recent decades by people holding on to hyper-conservative ideology. A real socialist Left must present a clear alternative to this ideology that will combine the principle of mutual responsibility with the demands of the modern-day economy.
- Politely bid the brand names "Labor" and "Meretz" farewell: The Labor party deserves much credit for its role in establishing the State, yet it appears tat the alienation it prompts among wide sections of the public will make it difficult for it to take power under this name. Meretz too deserves much credit for bringing individual rights into the public discourse, yet it too stagnated in recent years and stopped being relevant for a whole generation of voters. Therefore, the internal disputes in these parties in the wake of the elections are mostly pathetic. If the Left wishes to stay alive, it needs to replace these parties with a new and refreshing framework that emphasizes adequate representation for all of Israel's citizens (and not only Tel Aviv residents) and brings together forces and leaders from the non-profit world, which is a natural partner for the new Left.
- Stop crying in the square: Every year, in November, the Left gathers at Rabin Square. They hear songs, cling to the past, and go home with a fake sense of catharsis. The government about to be formed, regardless of whether it will be a radical rightist one or a rightist-nationalist one, needs to bring the Left back to the square, yet not for the purpose of crying, but rather, in order to cry out and protest – against racism, against the attempt to undermine the rule of law, against the economic belligerence, and against the exclusive and exaggerated utilization of military power as a way for resolving conflicts.
The Zionist leftist camp was slapped in the face. It hurts, yet it can also stir it into action. Out of the opposition, the Zionist Left, should it be courageous enough, can shake itself off and again become relevant.
