Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., December 08, 2008 Kislev 11, 5769 | | Israel Time: 02:00 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File

As Labor fades, new leftist movement steps into the breach By Ofri Ilani Tags: meretz, israel news  Leftist activists including a large of number of artists and celebrities gathered in Tel Aviv on Friday for the founding conference of a new left-wing movement whose aim is to become a significant factor in Israeli politics. The as-ye-unnamed new movement will be spearheaded by the existing left-wing Meretz party, and is said to incorporate other movements. Gatherers said the need for such a party was particularly important because of their disappointment in Labor, which has historically been the most important left-of-center party and whose current standing in the polls is at an all-time low. Advertisement "The Labor party is no longer the leviathan is used to be," Prof. Avner Ben Zaken, one of the new movement's leaders, said. "That leviathan is dead but its corpse still occupies a very important place in politics." The event, held at the Tzavta theater in the heart of Tel Aviv's artistic scene, attracted many celebrities including authors Amos Oz and Orly Castel-Bloom, actors Gila Almagor, Gavri Banai and Ilan Dar, guitarist David Broza, painter Yair Garbuz and historian Prof. Aviad Kleinberg. The attendees debated the nature of the new party, which has not yet been clearly defined. Some of the speakers at the event such as author Nir Bar'am and journalist Anat Sargusti stressed the importance of social-democratic ideals to the movement. "Israel needs a new covenant between the state and its youth," Bar'am said. Prof. Fania Oz-Salzberger, the daughter of Amos Oz and a history lecturer at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, spoke out against violence committed out by settlers in the West Bank. "For the past eight years not enough has been done for peace," she said. Meretz leader MK Haim "Jumis" Oron criticized Labor and Kadima, and predicted that the new social-democratic movement will become a significant power in Israeli politics. "Tzipi Livni and Ehud Barak are Bibi's tools," Oron said, referring to Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu's nickname. Oron invited the green movement to join the ranks of the new movement, and said that negotiations between Meretz and the new movement about a joint election slate will commence after Meretz holds it primary on December 14. Related articles: Labor's long demise Meretz hires Obama e-team, as Knesset campaigns go online After Labor fiasco, Likud to try computerized vote Bookmark to del.icio.us   Not the old settlers Some settler factions have adopted the tactics of factions in Gaza. Carrot and stick Obama says U.S. must talk to Iran but threats against Israel unacceptable.   1.   My prayers are with this new party 07:00  |  Northern 07/12/08   2.   Good luck to the New Party..... 07:39  |  Natasha 07/12/08   3.   Finally Israelis with a (political) brain will have..... 08:30  |  Swiss (Dino) 07/12/08   4.   Such a shame 09:42  |  Kadima Voter 07/12/08   5.   What`s "Yes We Can" in one word in Hebrew? This should then be 10:55  |  JustMe 07/12/08   6.   Natasha 10:56  |  Freddy 07/12/08   7.   Kadima voter 11:31  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 07/12/08   8.   Caveat Emptor - Buyer (Voter) Watch Out 11:40  |  Ussishkin 07/12/08

Read & React Hebron settlers accuse IDF of collective punishment Responses: 106 Livni wants to rethink Gaza truce in wake of Qassam barrages Responses: 24 Olmert: I am shamed by Hebron settlers' pogrom Responses: 60 Amos Harel: Nothing justifies striking a photographer armed only with a camera Responses: 52 Fania Oz-Salzberger / Hebron pogromists brought catastrophe unto Israel Responses: 36 More Headlines 00:42 Obama: We must talk to Iran, but threats against Israel unacceptable 21:27 Israel offers to ease West Bank restrictions over upcoming holidays 01:04 IAF bombs Gaza militants preparing to fire Qassams 00:05 Olmert: I am shamed by Hebron settlers' pogrom 00:53 JEWISH WORLD / To be or not to be Jewish, that is the question 23:31 Reputed mobster Nissim Alperon nabbed in raid 21:16 Israel pulls 20 Palestinians from list of 250 prisoners set for release 21:19 Anarchists Against the Wall awarded German human rights prize 18:02 Settler who shot Palestinians in Hebron remanded 4 more days 19:48 IDF soldier suspected of assaulting Haaretz photographer says she struck him first 19:08 Parents of soldiers at Tel Arad base: Don't let our sons become cancer victims 22:19 Tel Aviv police seize Israeli-Arab boat set to deliver aid to Gaza 18:01 Thousands of Muslims denounce Israel as pilgrims gather for final day of hajj Previous Editions Select Day 07 dec 05 dec 04 dec 03 dec 02 dec 01 dec 30 nov 28 nov 27 nov 26 nov 25 nov 24 nov

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