Meretz

Meretz (מרצ, Hebrew: "vitality", "energy") was an Israeli political party, considered to be on the "left" and secular. It was formed in 1992 by the merger of three other parties, RATZ (רץ, Movement for Civil Rights and Peace), Mapam (מפ"ם, Israeli Workers Party) and Shinui (שינוי, Change). In 1996 they officially registered as a single party, but in 1997 part of Shinui (under the leadership of Avraham Poraz) left to form a separate movement.

Left wing positions

Meretz positions are left-wing in both social-economical and political views:

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• Meretz supports the foundation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.
• It demands the total evacuation of Israeli settlements,
• The retreat of the Israeli army from all occupied territories.
• Furthermore, Meretz supports moderate interference of the state in internal-economy and the full liberation of civil-rights from religion.

It is associated with the non-parliamentary movement "Peace Now".

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Meretz defines itself as a Zionist party, although it has taken more radical positions during the Al-Aqsa Intifada.

Related Topics:
Zionist - Al-Aqsa Intifada

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