Time for new type of Left

Op-ed: Labor’s demise may signal that time has come for proud, Zionist leftist camp to emerge Yoaz Hendel Without being cynical, it is sad to see the party that once upon a time established this state falling apart. It doesn’t matter which political camp you hail from, seeing the descendents of Mapai turning into historical crumbs is unpleasant. Yet perhaps this expiry date signals that the time has come for a new type of Left: Israeli and Zionist. A proud Left, which first knows to declare what belongs to the Jewish people and only later thinks about compromise. A leftist camp that knows how to object, in a clear voice, to bodies that promote Israel’s de-legitimization without fearing some people who recite like parrots words such as fascism and McCarthyism. A Left that raises the banner of settling the land and that is not ashamed to speak up about construction ,renewal, salvaging land, Judaization if the Galilee, and pioneers (regardless of the borders this takes place within.) A leftist camp that one can agree with in respect to the gap between capitalism and socialism. A Left that continuously dreams of agreements and peace, but also knows how to wake up when necessary. And no, I’m not talking about the “National Left” campaign, with its cheap brochures, witty playwrights, and flashy PR agencies. I’m also not talking about Kadima (let’s see you prompting Tizpi Livni, Shaul Mofaz, or Tsachi Hanegabi to declare that they belong to a leftist party.) Rather, I’m talking about the original. A party with a scent of yesteryear; a rival worthy of ideological debates. There are many researchers in academia who are trying to figure out what happened to Israel’s Left. How could it be that a party that in the sixth Knesset controlled almost half the seats has turned into a triviality. When leftist voters are asked about this, one answer clearly emerges: Ehud Barak. In fact, with the exception of the occupation, these leftists see no greater culprit for all the bad things happening in the world. I know this is not the time for nostalgia, but rather, for seeking guilty parties. Yet nonetheless, with or without Barak, we better see the emergence of a good political alternative here. Otherwise, we shall be left with a radical leftist camp and only memories of election dilemmas and democracy. Reference : http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4016918,00.html