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Last update - 03:10 24/03/2008 Meretz in 'twilight of its years' according to own audit By Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: israel, haim oron  Financial collapse, constituency offices and a youth movement that exist on paper only, few legislative initiatives, a party in the twilight of its years, these are just a few of the descriptions contained in an internal report on Meretz-Yahad released last week. Work on the report, four months in preparation, was completed on the eve of last week's primary that crowned MK Haim Oron at party's new leader. It was written by businessman Boaz Amitay and commissioned by the party's secretary general, Yaron Shor. The report reveals serious organizational, financial and political shortcomings. Since 1992, Meretz has lost 60 percent of its Knesset seats from 12 to 5 in 2006. Oron, who replaces MK Yossi Beilin will have no easy job ahead of him in rehabilitating the party. Advertisement "The party is in a state of paralysis. At present Meretz cannot carry out complex tasks such as an election campaign," the report states. Financially, despite Beilin's economic recovery program, the party is for all intents and purposes in bankruptcy, according to the report. Meretz's debt to Bank Hapoalim is estimated at NIS 12.4 million, and its monthly income is smaller than its expenses, so a deficit that began in 2001 continues to grow. Nevertheless, the report states, no serious discussion of the party's financial situation has taken place. The financial situation has led to the loss of the party's youth movement, only two of its 52 branches are operational, and the party's own ombudsman has issued no reports. The report points a finger at the party's pyramidal structure as the cause for the present situation: The party chair, the secretary general and the administrative chair have no administrative authority, leaving most of the power in the hands of the Knesset faction. However, the faction is split into camps and thus cannot move matters ahead either. The report also discusses the small number of bills Meretz has proposed (only 15 in the present Knesset), and only one piece of ecological legislation recently, although Meretz bills itself as an ecological party. In terms of its relationship to the Arab community, Meretz has almost completely lost its way, the report says. It has not expanded its power base in the Arab sector, where its votes amounted to only a quarter of a Knesset seat in 2006. According to Shor, Meretz has begun discussions of the report. "It is unusual for a party to examine itself with such transparency and this is admirable," he said. Related articles: Meretz needs Gal-On's moral compass Meretz goes to polls to choose chair to save party Beilin drops out of Meretz leadership race, throws support to MK Oron Where are Labor and Meretz? Bookmark to del.icio.us   Getting online, already A gov't official is planning the first Web site 'to connect all Jews around the world'. Naim to meet you French-Israeli folk singer Yael Naim isn't worried about becoming too commercial.   1.   Thanks G-d EU and Ford foundation and Qatar still send donations 04:12  |  Avigdor Cohen 24/03/08   2.   Where war rules, the left dies 04:15  |  Mark Lincoln 24/03/08   3.   meretz`s finances arent quite as bankrupt as its ideology 04:47  |  david 24/03/08   4.   Meretz dying because Israelis see right thru it 05:30  |  RA 24/03/08   5.   Where left is wrong, war strives 05:31  |  Genuine Tosefta 24/03/08   6.   Meretz in bankrupt since it is the only party not corrupt 12:01  |  AA 24/03/08   7.   Meretz to #2 12:08  |  Gabe 24/03/08   8.   sad news 12:19  |  ron 24/03/08

Today Online Al-Qaida No. 2: Strike Jews 'everywhere' over Gaza raids Responses: 12 Israel shifts stance on reaching agreement with Hezbollah Responses: 19 Amos Harel: The formula for dealing with terrorism Responses: 3 Shahar Ilan: The dangerous vision of an Arab-free Knesset Responses: 9 Shmuel Rosner: The most daring experiment in the history of the Jews Responses: 13 Rosner's Domain New Guest, Daniel Kurtzer: since '93 U.S. didn't help peace process succeed Govt. to appeal ruling on classified material in AIPAC trial I've known my rabbi for more than 20 years... (WTR) There's no need for American pressure on Israel Poll: Mideast summit in Moscow, a good idea? More Headlines 12:03 Qaida No. 2: Muslims must strike Jews 'everywhere' over Gaza raids 12:51 Cheney: Syria and Iran helping Hamas torpedo peace process 11:30 Israeli official: Fatah-Hamas reconciliation would mean end to peace talks 12:15 MK Al-Sana demands rabbi be probed for decree against employing Arabs 10:47 Israel shifts stance on reaching agreement with Hezbollah 11:42 Defense officials view laser as future of anti-missile technology 10:20 U.S. Jewish movement embraces mixed marriages, reaches out to kids 12:38 Web site seeks ex-Swedish volunteers to act as goodwill ambassadors 09:54 Study: 'Big Brother' monitoring alive and well in Israeli workplace 05:40 Jewish Agency turns to Haredi donors as budget dwindles 10:47 Loving Jesus, fearing the neighbors in Ariel 09:40 Treasury D-G envisions Israel becoming Singapore of Mideast 11:07 Police arrest suspect in apparent tryst that ended in stabbing 06:38 Holocaust commission on treatment of survivors wraps up hearings Previous Editions Select Day 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 14 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar 10 mar

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