Hadash, Bronfman Explore Joining Forces

MK Roman Bronfman (Democratic Choice) has been holding a series of meetings with members of the Hadash faction to discuss possible collaboration in the political arena, including to join the proposed social-democratic bloc.

The last meeting was attended by all Hadash MKs - Tamar Gozansky, Issam Makhoul and Mohammed Barakeh - but the second member of Bronfman's faction, Alex Tsinker, was absent. However, Bronfman was joined by Moriah Shlomot of Peace Now and Dan Goldenblatt of the Green Leaf Party.

Bronfman said the meetings were "an act of conscience in the club, known as the Knesset, which excludes Arabs." Gozansky told the participants that she had not been able to arrange a joint faction meeting with Meretz for seven years.

Within the bodies working to form the social-democratic bloc, including the extra-parliamentary Peace Coalition, there are differences of opinion over whether Hadash should be included. In the past few months, Labor Party member Yossi Beilin has objected to inviting Gozansky to join in activities of the coalition, including meetings with Palestinians.

Another meeting between Bronfman and the Hadash MKs is due to take place tomorrow, before another discussion is held on the setting up of a social-democratic bloc. The latter meeting will be attended by Beilin and, for the first time, Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg along with Meretz leader Yossi Sarid.