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Last update - 04:52 10/07/2008 New green party seeks more than just eco-friendly voters By Zafrir Rinat, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Greens, environment, politics  Israel is set to get a second environmentalist political party, joining the decade-old Greens. The party has yet to be declared officially, but its members - including several well-known green activists - have already formulated their vision and begun recruiting members and backers. Prominent figures in the new movement include Professor Alon Tal, founder of the non-profit group Adam Teva V'Din (the Israel Union for Environmental Defense) and formerly head of the environmental umbrella group Haim V'Sviva (Life and Environment). Another key player is Eran Ben Yemini, who was among the founders of the environmental student group Megama Yeruka (Green Course). Advertisement The new movement's founders had considered joining forces with the Greens, led by Tel Aviv deputy mayor Peer Visner, but could not agree on leaders or the management of party institutions. Over the past few weeks, the new party held a series of discussions that culminated in a foundational document entitled "Green Movement Vision." The document says a "green movement" does more than preserve the landscape; it has a broader political and social agenda. According to the document, the new party will focus on building an economy that takes into account environmental and ecological needs. It will work for tougher legislation to deter polluters, expand local authorities' power to intervene in environmental matters, and initiate a national project to make Israel energy-independent by 2050 by utilizing solar energy. On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the party supports a resolution based on the two-state principle, with security guarantees for Israel. The party advocates preserving Shabbat as a day of rest free of business or commercial activity, but allowing public transportation to operate and entertainment venues to be open . As for the character of the State of Israel, the movement states that the Hebrew language and the Jewish identity are the country's essence. However, it adds that Israel's Arab citizens suffer from discrimination, and that they must be allowed to fulfill their right to develop their cultural heritage. "The Arab school system is entitled to teach and promote Palestinian and Arab culture and history," according to the document, "alongside a shared core curriculum that reflects values common to every citizen in the country," it states. Related articles: Greens sue to derail Ashkelon power plant Weapons can't be green Green Party hopes to reach Knesset by running in local elections Bookmark to del.icio.us   Brown's ultimatum British PM to Knesset: Iran must suspend nuclear bid or face global isolation. One giant leap VIDEO: Israeli-developed device allows paraplegics to walk again.   1.   So Far, I Like What I See 09:22  |  Slibovitz 10/07/08   2.   A welcomed development 09:41  |  EJ 10/07/08   3.   The Real Green Party is Hadash 09:59  |  Eyal 10/07/08   4.   Hadash is red 10:34  |  Slibovitz 10/07/08   5.   Hadash and Khenin 10:34  |  Eldar 10/07/08   6.   Last, Best Hope! 11:43  |  Northerner 10/07/08   7.   New Green Party 12:03  |  Jane 10/07/08   8.   Hope, if they can cross the electoral threshold 12:03  |  David G 10/07/08   9.   Green Party 12:14  |  Jane 10/07/08   10.   At last - a party with real democratic values! 12:19  |  David 10/07/08   11.   Looks great! 12:35  |  Eitan 10/07/08   12.   Real Democratic Value is Equality of Rights for All Citizens 13:34  |  Eyal 10/07/08   13.   How about a right wing religious Green party? 13:54  |  Meir 10/07/08   14.   a real green party 14:28  |  citizen dror 10/07/08   15.   Eyal and democracy 14:36  |  Eldar 10/07/08   16.   No Eldar, These are limits on Democracy 15:54  |  Eyal 10/07/08   17.   On democracy 16:31  |  Eldar 10/07/08   18.   We vote the "green movement" 16:54  |  student 10/07/08   19.   To Eldar on Freedom and Democracy 17:11  |  David G 10/07/08   20.   Kol HaKavod 17:25  |  Hadar 10/07/08   21.   To #13 -- Meir I agree 17:29  |  David G 10/07/08   22.   Greens sound good to me! 17:30  |  Oleh 10/07/08   23.   an Environmentally-Sustainable and Safe Jewish State of Israel 00:04  |  Irwin 11/07/08   24.   Time for a right wing green party! 19:07  |  M. 22/07/08

Read & React Israel fears scathing U.S. report on its West Bank policies Responses: 153 Fearing Haredi ire, Knesset choir bans women singers at Brown session Responses: 91 Israeli officials: U.S. intervention in minor Palestinian issues may damage ties Responses: 86 'Olmert vowed to keep Jerusalem whole, but that's not why I helped' Responses: 29 Moshe Arens: Israel's margin of error is disappearing Responses: 21 More Headlines 19:14 Bulldozer driver goes on rampage in Jerusalem, apparent copycat of recent deadly attack 16:14 Rampaging bulldozer driver 'missed pedestrian's head by inches' 19:04 Obama condemns attack, says will always back Israel's war on terror 18:44 Shin Bet chief warned of copycat terrorists 3 hours before Jerusalem attack 16:04 Bradley Burston/ Ten Mideast traps for Barack Obama to avoid 11:37 Israeli innovation helps chopper pilots see in worst conditions 10:18 Jury convicts man tried for accosting Nobel winner Elie Wiesel 17:29 'Olmert swore to keep Jerusalem united, but that's not why I helped' 16:59 Abbas warns: PA forces to be pulled out of West Bank if IDF raids persist 12:14 Police: Olmert travel expenses probe likely to yield indictment 10:33 Shalit's unit to be discharged Tuesday, but without their comrade 12:23 There's only one Katie Couric - and now she's in Israel 18:58 Soldier filmed shooting bound Palestinian released from detention 18:55 Israel fears scathing U.S. report on its West Bank policies Previous Editions Select Day 21 jul 20 jul 18 jul 17 jul 16 jul 15 jul 14 jul 13 jul 11 jul 10 jul 09 jul 08 jul

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