As German Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck once wrote, "Politics is the art of the possible" (Die Politik ist die Kunst des Möglichen). That understanding was certainly on the mind of the Meretz party in Israel this week, as it faced the inevitable dilemma that arises whenever idealism faces realism, or when the demands of one sacred principle threaten to undermine the realization of another. In practical terms, Meretz had to decide whether to push for new elections that seem likely to replace a roughly centrist government led by Ehud Olmert with an adamantly hawkish, right-wing one under would-be Prime Minister and frontrunner Binyamin ("Bibi") Netanyahu of Likud.

Beilin Announces Decision to Step Down as Meretz Chair

Last Sunday, December 16th, Meretz Chairman Yossi Beilin announced that he would not be running for reelection as the party's head in March 2008.

In this week's News Update, we have included Meretz USA's letter honoring Dr. Beilin and thanking him for his energy, creativity, and dedication to peacemaking in the region. We have also included below Dr. Beilin's letter explaining his decision not to seek another term as Chairman. See, as well, the a sampling of the abundant press coverage that Dr. Beilin's announcement received.

Barak's Second Coming

By Ralph Seliger

Nearly 10 years to the day since Ehud Barak was first elected chair of Israel’s Labor party (June 3, 1997, defeating Yossi Beilin), he emerged victorious again this past June 12—in a narrow primary win over his more dovish opponent, Ami Ayalon. On June 17, he replaced the hapless Amir Peretz as minister of defense...

Reflections on the Political Year Gone By

With the Jewish Year 5767 ending at sundown this evening, this News Review directs its focus to the twelve months gone by so that we can remember (and perhaps learn from) the events of the year past.

All of us at Meretz USA – Officers, Board, and Staff – send you heartfelt greetings for this New Year. May the New Year bring you health and happiness and may it bring us all – our brothers and sisters in Israel and throughout the world, and our cousins in Palestine and everywhere – peace, shalom, salaam.