WITH ITS selection of Haifa Mayor Amram Mitzna to be its new leader, Israel's Labour Party has signalled a return to some of its core values.
The dovish Mr. Mitzna, who favours a withdrawal from occupied Arab territories and a resumption of the peace process, will offer Israelis a clear alternative to the current Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon. In this, he differs from the previous Labour leader, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, who joined Mr. Sharon's government and supported more hardline policies than many in the Labour Party liked.
The strategy of moving rightwards did not seem to do Labour, which at one time was virtually Israel's natural governing party, any good. But, nor is it clear that its move back to the left will rescue it either. In the midst of the deepening war with the Palestinians, and influenced by underlying demographic trends that are weakening Labour's traditional support base, Israeli politics continues to shift rightwards.
The popularity of Mr. Sharon is on the upswing, and for the time being his greater threat comes not from the left, but the right. The early betting is now that Mr. Mitzna will square off against Mr. Sharon in the elections due to take place in late January, and that Mr. Sharon will win handily. But a lot may happen between now and then.
For those who favour the peace process, Mr. Mitzna's victory will at least keep hope alive, even if its prospects currently look dim.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
