Stav Shaffir is the only lawmaker in a shrinking Labor pary, who has spoken out against the possibility three parties to the left of Blue and White run independently in the election instead of Labor, Meretz and the Israel Democratic party running together as a faction. She has also insinuated that she would be willing to cede her prestigious slot on the Labor party's list for Knesset in order to ensure a center-left alliance. With around one week left remaining for parties to submit their lists for the Knesset, it seems no one else in the left-wing camp is capable of leading some kind of move toward a unification.
IDP leader Ehud Barak gave up on the idea of a large union ahead of the last election in April. Having decided to go for one now, he has discovered it is no simple task. On the Right, he is perceived as the man who withdrew from Lebanon. On the Left, he is the figure who failed to bring about a settlement with Syria and the Palestine Liberation Organization, although he was seemingly very close to achieving both these goals. To the Arabs, he was Israel's prime minister when 13 Israeli Arabs were killed during the riots of October 2000. His apology, Tuesday, for the incident, which marked the outbreak of the Second Intifada, were important in this context, and could be enough to begin a start new chapter with Israel's Arab citizens. Although there can be no doubt the strange story with his shady business partner, registered sexual offender Jeffrey Epstein, does not do much for his prestige.
Labor leader Amir Peretz surprised many when he joined forces with Orly Levy-Abekasis's Gersher party. We will have to wait until after Election Day to learn whether or not this gamble was in fact a genius move. In the meantime, it seems this political alliance has prevented him from joining forces with other parties. Meretz, under Nitzan Horowitz, was very much interested in forming a joint faction with Labor, and is now left feeling it was nothing more than a pawn in the negotiations between Peretz and Levy-Abekasis.
There is a real possibility that Meretz and the IDP will run independently and fail to pass the electoral threshold. It all depends on voter turnout and their voters' enthusiasm.
Given the current situation, it is hard to see a more natural or logical move than these two parties coming together to form a joint list. This would not just be a technical bloc, in the style of the alliance of the right-wing parties with the Kahanists, but a genuine partnership of minds. Both parties firmly believe in the need to renew the diplomatic process in order to ensure Israel's future as a democratic and Jewish state.
If Barak is truly willing to accept the No.10 slot on a list, and from there, bring in voters who see him as their best representative, if Shaffir sees herself part of such an alliance and is willing to serve in its leadership, and if Horowitz is placed at the head of such a list, there is no reason such a political alliance cannot be forged in the week that remains.
If the sides enter serious and intensive negotiations, it may be that the days leading up to Aug.1, the deadline for submitting party lists, will be days of hope for the Left.
