Ratz

For the animated television series of the same name, see Ratz (television series).

Related Topics:
Animated television series - Ratz (television series)

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Ratz (Hebrew: ר"ץ) was a left wing Israeli political party formed in 1973 by former Labour Knesset member Shulamit Aloni. Its independent existence lasted until 1992, when it became the largest part in Meretz, retaining partial independence until Meretz's official merger in 1997. Meretz is now part of Yachad.

Related Topics:
Hebrew - Israeli - 1973 - Labour - Knesset - Shulamit Aloni - 1992 - Meretz - 1997 - Yachad

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Ratz was identified first and formost with Aloni who founded it 48 hours after parting with the Labour, and headed it throughout its existence. As a member of the Israeli peace camp it opposed the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and called for a settlement with the Palestine Liberation Organization as back as 1973. Ratz advocated secularism, the separation of religion and state, and civil rights, most notably women rights, a topic that was very close to Aloni. Ratz was a notable fighter against corruption and for a constitution, and Aloni was the initiator of the Knesset sub-committee for basic laws (Israel's equivalent of a constitution). For a while it also supported electoral reform.

Related Topics:
Israeli peace camp - West Bank - Gaza - Palestine Liberation Organization - Secular - Religion and state - Civil rights - Constitution - Basic law

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For a short period in 1975-1976 Ratz was named Yaad (together with Arie Lova Eliav). Between 1981-1984 it was a part of the Labour party, but disengaged before the elections. In 1984 Shelli joined Ratz in a 1 to 3 ratio, in particular Ran Cohen who is today a member of the Knesset for Yachad. Prior to the 1992 elections the party formed the Meretz electoral coalition with Mapam and Shinui, hoping to win over some of the Labour party's electorate (the party was then considered to be in decline). However, Meretz received slightly fewer MKs in the 1992 elections than its constituents had in the previous Knesset. In 1996 Yossi Sarid defeated Aloni in Meretz's internal elections, and Aloni consequently retired from the political life. This was construed by many as the "true" end of Ratz. Finally, in 1997, Ratz ceased to exist when it, Mapam and parts of Shinui formally merged to make Meretz a official political party.

Related Topics:
1975 - 1976 - Arie Lova Eliav - 1981 - 1984 - Shelli - Ran Cohen - 1992 - Meretz - Mapam - Shinui - Labour party's - 1996 - Yossi Sarid - 1997

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Ratz is supposedly an acronym, but it is not clear what of. The party's full Hebrew name was התנועה לזכויות האזרח ולשלום, literally The Movement for Civil Rights and Peace.

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