Israel’s Left-Wing Parties Merge

Jerusalem, 1 July, 2024 (TPS) -- Israel’s two left-wing parties, Labor and Meretz, announced the merger of their parties into a new party which will be called The Democrats on Sunday.

“One of the goals I set for us is to create connections that will lead to the exploitation of the camp’s electoral potential,” said Labor leader Yair Golan, who will lead The Democrats.

“Today we have built a framework that will serve the public as best as possible on the way to promoting elections and replacing the worst government since the establishment of the state,” he added.

Previous Labor leader Merav Michaeli has been heavily criticized for not uniting with Meretz prior to Israel’s last elections in November 2022. Meretz failed to cross the electoral threshold, giving the right-wing parties a four-seat edge in the Knesset. Labor currently holds four seats in the 120-seat Knesset.

Golan, who was elected Labor leader on May 28, stirred controversy when he appeared to suggest that army reservists refuse call up orders to help topple the government. Golan says his remarks were distorted.

Barring a collapse of the government, Israel’s next election must be held October 27, 2026.