Ron Huldai, who kicked off his new Israelis party on Tuesday, uttered an important sentence that should have been obvious: That the people on the center-Left shouldn't vote for parties to the Right of the Likud with the goal of ending Netanyahu's term in office. By voting in that manner for that purpose, they could wind up voting in favor of an assault on the legal system in Israel and its guardians, supporting the annexation of territories without any agreement, and supporting goals that are far from the fight for freedom of religion and freedom from religion. These people's goal is to prevent the "Netanyahu bloc" from securing a majority in the Knesset, so it would be much more sensible if they voted for center-Left parties that line up with their diplomatic and social views.
Amir Peretz, who promised not to serve in a Netanyahu government and even shaved his mustache to stress the point, was unable – in the short time he has been a part of the current government – prove that there was any justification for breaking that promise. So he was right in announcing he would not run for the leadership of Labor. Benny Gantz should have done the same. It's possible that by partnering with the Netanyahu government, Gantz prevented a lot of bad things from happening, including the delusional idea of unilaterally annexing a third of the West Bank, but this has been a failed government, and even Gantz's own party is turning its back on him.
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In a situation like this, Gantz should have announced he would not sacrifice himself on the altar of politics and not seek to run for the leadership of Blue and White, which is losing more supporters each day. It's a shame that this is how this good man is finishing his short political career, and it's a shame that he got into an unnecessary fight with Avi Nissankoren, who turned out to be someone who stuck to his guns.
Ofer Shelah was a first-rate journalist. He is a man of immense knowledge, smart and opinionated. In Yesh Atid he was forced to accept Yair Lapid's authoritarian leadership, and it seemed as if he was trading in his own stances for Lapid's. Until he had enough and he decided to run against his old comrade for the leadership of the party. He was prevented from doing so, and he left the party in which he had been a token leftist.
With his insights and his ability to throw himself into new issues (like COVID), Shelah could have been a great leader for Yesh Atid and suggested non-populist solutions that could have changed things for the better. At the moment, I don't think the new party he has formed will be able to run on its own in the upcoming election. He will have to find a way to join up with another party on the center-Left. It won't be Yesh Atid, but there is no reason why it shouldn't be another Zionist left-wing party with which he won't find it difficult to identify. This special man will be a big advantage to any party he joins.
Nitzan Horowitz didn't become leader of Meretz to make it into a party of the masses. With the help of his predecessor, Tamar Zandberg, he was successful in keeping the small party alive despite the many changes to the Israeli political map. Meretz's clear voice on the two-state solution; separation of religion and state; and equality for all Israel's citizens must be heard, and Nitzan's job will be to ensure that the party stays in existence even in the stormy political weeks to come. The joint run with Labor in the last election didn't hurt Meretz's voice, or its support. This time, too, it would be best if the party made a joint run with another party on the Left to ensure that Meretz stays independent.
At age 76, Ron Huldai has decided to run for the Knesset as a party leader. He has toyed with the idea in the past, and for various reasons, decided against it. Now he has realized that it's now or never. In our city, Tel Aviv, he is very popular. His CV – a kibbutznik, a fighter pilot and high-ranking officer, a former high school principal, and a highly successful mayor – could give him the chance to become Israel's Joe Biden.
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