Yachimovich calls for 'end to defeatism'

Labor Chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich hosted dozens of potential voters in her kitchen on Sunday evening for an open conversation about her party's platform and the feeling that the election results have already been determined.

"There are some in the public who have decided that (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu has already been reelected, but I would like to challenge that," she told her guests. "All parties in the political spectrum have accepted that submissively or have already entered coalition negotiations, but I won't accept this defeatism."

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The meeting in Yachimovich's Tel Aviv house was held as part of a new concept in which the party's candidates open their homes and invite voters to their living room, kitchen, garden or study.

Yachimovich entertained her guests in a relaxed atmosphere and tried to convince them to vote for the Labor Party.

Meeting at Yachimovich's kitchen (Photo: Moti Kimchi)

"We remain the only party challenging the Netanyahu government and serving as an alternative," she said. "The weakness of those who have accepted Netanyahu's election is uncalled for, as we are in the midst of a very interesting election campaign. Amazing things are happening and it's wrong to give up now."

Yachimovich said that the notion that the identity of the next prime minister is already known creates groups which weaken the chance to replace the government.

(Photo: Moti Kimchi)

She criticized former Shin Bet Director Yuval Diskin for "considering establishing an 'empty ballot' party because he has no one to vote for. I don't accept that. There is always someone to vote for. Translating this feeling to an empty ballot borders on ignorance.

"You only vote for one party, and whoever wants to bring down Netanyahu must vote for the biggest party in the opposite bloc – the Labor Party. Any odd vote – for Rabbi Amsellem, for example, is a waste of a vote and surrender.

"Netanyahu is not Israel's king. Voting for bizarre people as a protest vote or trendy vote is irresponsible. And we must align in order to really tilt the balance. We cannot give up the battle."

Moran Azulay is a Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth reporter

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