The Israeli Left in a Center-Right Government: Is There a Sweet Spot between Principles & Pragmatism?

In June 2021, a new Israeli government was established, based on an unlikely and unprecedented coalition of eight parties, including the rightwing Yamina, the United Arab List, and the left-of-center Meretz and Labor. Together, they struck a blow for an Israeli democracy that was tattering after the twelve-year premiership of Binyamin Netanyahu. But for the left, it’s been a hard pill to swallow: The diverse governing coalition is formally committed to the status quo vis a vis the Palestinians (no movement toward peace or formal annexation), while, in practice, its rightwing and centrist cabinet ministers have been advancing policies that echo those of Netanyahu’s period.

On February 16, 2022, we were joined via Zoom by Mossi Raz, Member of Knesset for Meretz, and political scientist, Prof. Naomi Chazan, for a discussion of the Israeli left’s unenviable predicament: Can the left continue to compromise its principles in the current government? Would bolting the coalition produce an Israeli government even more hostile to peace and democracy? Is there a way to square the circle?

Our discussion was moderated by Einat Ovadia, Executive Director of the Israeli human rights NGO, Zulat, and was followed by a Q&A session with the Zoom audience.