New Labor platform

The differences between Likud and Labor party have been virtually indistinguishable for the past couple of years. Now that Labor has released their new platform things have changed a bit. They have suddenly taken a hard left turn.

The new platform includes:

- Negotiating with the Palestinians while continuing to fight terror

Huh? Who are they referring to? Who is there to negotiate with? Not the somewhat moderate Sari Nusseibeh - as of yesterday he's gone. There is no one to negotiate with.


- Unilateral separation if there is no-one to negotiate with, based on what's Jewish to the Jews, and what is Palestinian to the Palestinians;

That makes sense. Unilaterally pulling out of Lebanon worked so well, so why not the West Bank and Gaza? More importantly, who determines what is Jewish and what is Palestinian?

- a unique governance of the Temple Mount of Jerusalem with respect to the three monotheistic religions;

Ok, I concede. This actually makes sense to me.

- a separation fence; withdrawal from the Gaza strip and evacuation of the Jewish settlements in Gaza;

Considering the separation fence is already being built this is nothing new. I was never a proponent of the settlement of Gaza but the timing is not right for a withdrawal. Hasn't the party learned from the disaster of the unilateral pullout from Lebanon? Picking up and leaving will just strengthen our enemies.


- diversion of funds from the settlements to socio-economic needs;

Why target a tax-paying segment of the society? Sure, those living in the West Bank receive tax-breaks but this segment of society works for a living and serves in the army. As long as the government allows and continues to encourage Jews to live in the West Bank they should be obligated to provide for them.


- compulsory national service for all;

This is unbelievable. Where was the Labor party when the Tal bill was passed and haredi draft-dodging became legal? Granted, a several members of the party opposed it. But many voted for it. In fact, during it's first reading the leadership tried to enforce party discipline making it mandatory for all Labor MKs to vote in favor of it.

- abolishing the Ministry for Religious Affairs and automatic granting of citizenship to the parents of soldiers serving in the IDF.

Although I agree with the above wholeheartedly, it's just another feeble attempt by the Labor party to woo former voters who have jumped ship and switched their allegiance to the Shinui party.

At least now we can actually distinguish the Labor from the Likud party. I can't imagine that Ben-Eliezer and other Labor hawks actually agree with majority of the platform.

It seems to me that the party is more representative of Mitzna than the actual party membership.

Tags: israeli politics, labor, likud