Peace Now Director Steps Down, Makes Bid to Lead Meretz
In a Facebook post Sunday, Buskila wrote, 'I have a duty to do everything I possibly can so that fewer families will lose lives and be destroyed by senseless wars.'

Peace Now Director General Avi Buskila has stepped down to challenge Meretz Chairwoman Zehava Galon in the left-wing partys primary in March. In a Facebook post Sunday, Buskila wrote, It wasnt an easy decision. ... I realized I have a duty to do everything I possibly can so that fewer families will lose lives and be destroyed by senseless wars.
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Buskilas fellow challengers for the post are MKs Ilan Gilon and Tamar Zandberg and social activist Avi Dabush.
Im 42. Ive been through quite a bit in my life. And one thing Ive learned, to make a breakthrough ... bring down walls of prejudice and win — you cant merely respond to reality, you have to lead it, manage it and especially — create it, Buskila wrote. We in Meretz can, and its our also our duty, especially now, to take the reins, defeat nationalism and create a strong democratic reality for Israel.
In announcing her candidacy Thursday, Zandberg said, The time has come to say things as clearly as possible: Meretz needs a new beginning, a new spirit and new leadership.