Since her election as leader of the Labor party Jan. 23, Knesset member Merav Michaeli has succeeded in reviving the long-dormant party. For months, people wondered whether it would even pass the electoral threshold, but with Michaeli at the helm, recent polls show that it could win as many as six seats.
This is a remarkable achievement, but things are not all bright and rosy in the party. Since she was chosen as the new party leader, she has had to contend with two waves of defections. It began with an announcement from the head of the party’s Arab Division, Raleb Majadele, that he is leaving the party, along with 20 Arab party activists. Majadele made history in 2007 by becoming the country’s first Arab minister (appointed minister without portfolio). This was followed by reports that several veteran party members had decided to quit Labor for the Blue and White party, headed by Benny Gantz.
