3 Current status and politics

3.1 Reputation and Public Image

As stated above, Yachad has shrunk significantly from the large Meretz party of 1999. Yachad's attempt to draw Israeli Labor Party dovish voters and Knesset members has failed.

On March 16, 2004, Yossi Beilin was elected to lead Yachad. Following Beilin's victory, many Yahad activists announced that they are removing their support from the party. Some of that reasons were that:

1. Beilin wasn't a true socialist. Although he defines himself as social-liberal he is actually a moderate capitalist.
2. Beilin's only focuses was on negotiation with the Palestinians, neglecting other issues.
3. Beilin is hated by a majority of the Israel public, mainly by Sepharadim and residents of the periphery towns. This is partly because of the perception that he holds 'too pro-Palestinian' opinions, partly because of his elitist image and mainly because of the failure of the Oslo process, with which Beilin is closely associated.
4. Beilin is perceived to be funded by foreign European bodies, thus being more loyal to the interests of his funders rather to the interests of Israel.
5. Beilin's Geneva Accord seemed to be an unfair attempt to place Ran Cohen in the shadow.
6. The loss of Ran Cohen to Beilin appears by some to be evidence of the anti- Sepharadic racism in Yahad. Ran Cohen, who immigrated to Israel from Iraq, is the only non- Ashkenazi to have reached a senior position in Meretz\ Yachad.

However, the radical faction of Meretz expressed support in Beilin because:

1. It was claimed that he could attract voters from Hadash and other small radical left parties.
2. Beilin's supporters showed polls that claim to prove that Beilin will bring more voters than Cohen.
3. Beilin is the father of the Oslo peace process and the Geneva Accords.
4. Beilin would give Yachad a clear dovish stand, which will distinguish it from the Israeli Labor Party and Shinui.

Yachad's approach toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has grown radical since its establishment. Yachad abandoned the "securitist" approach of its predeccessor Meretz and focused at criticism on the conduct of Ariel Sharon, the Israeli Defence Forces and the government of Israel. This criticism has failed to find much support in Israeli public opinion, which continues to be dominated by the desire for security and haunted by Palestinian terror attacks.

Yachad is torn in whether to support Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan. It is also criticized in neglecting the social issues which Meretz raised as its flag.

3.2 Knesset members

Current Knesset members (16th assembly):

1. Yossi Sarid
2. Haim Oron
3. Ran Cohen
4. Zehava Galon
5. Roman Bronfman .
6. Avshalom Vilan

4 See also

• Meretz
• Yossi Beilin
• Israeli peace camp
• List of political parties in Israel

5 External link

• Official Website (Hebrew)

Israeli political parties

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