Israeli Labor Party
The Israeli Labor Party (Hebrew: מִפְלֶגֶת הָעֲבוֹדָה הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִית, romanized: ), commonly known as HaAvoda (Hebrew: הָעֲבוֹדָה, lit. 'The Labor'), is a social democratic[13][14][15][16] and Labor Zionist[16][17] political party in Israel. The party was established in 1968 by a merger of Mapai, Ahdut HaAvoda and Rafi. Until 1977, all Israeli prime ministers were affiliated with the Labor movement.[18] The current party leader is Yair Golan, who was elected on 28 May 2024.
Labor Party מפלגת העבודה
23 January 1968
Israeli Young Labor
48,288[2]
Alignment (1968–1991)
One Israel (1999–2001)
Zionist Union (2014–2019)
Party of European Socialists (observer)
The Labor Party is associated with supporting the Israeli–Palestinian peace process, pragmatic foreign affairs policies and social-democratic economic policies.[19] The party was a member of Socialist International until July 2018,[20][21][22] and is now a member of the Progressive Alliance and an observer member of the Party of European Socialists.[23][24]
Political principles[edit]
Past[edit]
Mapai evolved from the socialist Poale Zion movement and adhered to the Socialist Zionist ideology promulgated by Nahum Syrkin and Ber Borochov. Under Ben-Gurion's leadership (1930–1954), Mapai focused mainly on a Zionist agenda, as establishing a homeland for the Jewish people was seen as the most urgent issue.
After the founding of the state of Israel, Mapai engaged in nation building—the establishment of the Israel Defense Forces (while dismantling every other armed group), the establishment of many settlements, the settling of more than 1,000,000 Jewish immigrants and the desire to unite all the inhabitants of Israel under a new Zionist Jewish Israeli culture (an ideology known as the "Melting pot" כור היתוך).
Labor in the past was more hawkish on security and defense issues than it is now. During its years in office, Israel fought the 1956 Sinai War, the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War.
Current[edit]
While originally a democratic socialist party, Labor has evolved into a programme that supports a mixed economy with strong social welfare programmes. In November 2005, Amir Peretz, leader of the social-democratic One Nation which had merged into Labor after a split in 1999,[86] was elected chairman of the party, defeating Shimon Peres. Under Peretz, especially in the 2006 electoral campaign, the party took a significant ideological turn, putting social and economic issues on top of its agenda, and advocating a social democratic approach (including increases in minimum wage and social security payments), in sharp contrast to the economically liberal policies led by former Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In the post–Cold War era, the party's foreign policy retains a strong orientation toward the United States (especially the Democratic Party), and its security policy maintains that a permanent peace with the Palestinians can only be based on agreements that are enforceable.[87] Labor supports a two-state solution and the creation of an independent, demilitarized Palestinian state.[6]
On social issues, Labor supports same-sex marriage, the legalisation of cannabis, advancing surrogacy rights for gay couples and organized public transportation on Shabbat.[6]
Labor is committed to the continued existence of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. It believes in maintaining a strong defense force and also supports the promotion of individual human rights. It supports most Supreme Court decisions on the latter issue, as well as the adoption of a written constitution that would entrench human rights.[87] The party opposed the Nation State Bill in 2018, and since its passing has pledged to adding a clause emphasising equality for all citizens.[6]
(in Hebrew)
