Israeli Labour leader vows to ‘fight destructive agenda’ of the far-right
Merav Michaeli also claimed the BDS movement had given the Israeli far-right an excuse 'to avoid the difficult compromises we need to have once we go on the path to peace'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Israeli Labor Party leader Merav Michaeli has described the inclusion of the far-right in Benjamin Netanyahu’s new coalition government as both “frightening and shocking” and has vowed to “fight its destructive agenda.”
Speaking at the Labour Friends of Israel lunch, the Ha’Avoda leader reference the rise of the far-right in countries such as Brazil and Italy and said:”We in Israel are not alone in having to address the threat posed by the far right.”
Michaeli also singled out the boycott, divestment of sanctions movement (BDS) for criticism saying it only serves to “strengthen the Israeli far-right and nationalists because they give them an excuse to avoid the difficult compromises we need to have once we go on the path to peace.”
In her speech at Central Hall, Westminster, the Israeli MK said:”For Israelis and our friends around the world, the inclusion of the far-right in the new government is both a frightening and shocking prospect.
“We will continue to fight for our values – democracy, equality and the rule of law – from the opposition. We will speak up for the independence of the judiciary and for equality before the law. We will oppose any assault on the rights of women, the LGBT community, and our Arab fellow citizens.”
She added:” We will wage it too with the confidence that the vast majority of Israelis did not vote for the Kahanists and their racist and homophobic allies. Let’s not forget that, despite the rise in turnout, the far-right’s total share of the vote dropped compared with the 2021 election.”
On the subject of BDS, she said:” Let’s be clear: BDS promotes the destruction of Israel, does nothing to advance a two-state solution, and drives Israelis and Palestinians further apart.
“It strengthens the Israeli nationalist right who use it as an excuse to avoid the difficult decisions and compromises which the search for peace entails.
“BDS says the Jewish state is unique in its wickedness, and should be condemned and punished for it. We will challenge this accusation at every turn. Not simply because it is a terrible lie, often rooted in ancient Jew-hatred.”
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