Left-wing Meretz had always showcased itself as a party representing both Jews and Arabs. Still, many in the party feared recently that the party’s new Knesset faction after the Nov. 1 general elections won’t include any Arab legislator. Results of the party’s Aug. 23 primary proved them wrong. Israeli Druze lawmaker Ali Salalha was elected for the fourth (realistic) spot on the list. Concerns over Arab representation on the Meretz list had intensified last month after Regional Cooperation Minister Issawi Frej resigned from politics, at least temporarily.
The big winner of the Aug. 23 primary was former party leader Zehava Gal-On, who had quit politics before the last elections. It was an impressive political comeback. She won the support of 60% of the party’s members, defeating deputy finance minister, Knesset Member Yair Golan, by 20%. Golan, who ran to be head of the party, actually came in fifth. More dramatic even, outgoing party chair, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz, came in seventh. Based on all the current polls, the party won’t get more than six Knesset seats, perhaps even as low as four, which makes it unlikely for Horowitz to serve again as a legislator.
