The demand from senior Likud officials, chief among them party leader Benjamin Netanyahu, that New Likudnikim be expelled from the party has put Likud members at odds, particularly as the party prides itself on being Israel's only truly democratic party.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitterย
Labeling the New Likudnikim a "leftist, dangerous, and radical" group that aims to take over the Likud movement in order to destroy it is not only false but an injustice. It is an injustice to both the group in question and all Likud members since the movement includes tens of thousands of Likud activists from all sectors of Israeli society who do not always speak with one voice but see the Likud as their political and ideological home.
To remain a liberal and democratic party with a broad, clear, and solid public and ideological base, a political party must accept a diversity of opinion. This is particularly true for a party that has been around as long as the Likud. Should the party push away someone who accepts its ideological lines but wants to act as they see fit to effect change, this would be a sign that the party, gripped by fear, has failed to contend with a diversity of opinion.
Pluralism, the voicing of opinions, and engaging with others in an effort to convince them of the righteousness of your path is the very essence of a democratic party. It is necessary to secure the kind of broad public support that can be translated into votes in an election and afford a party the privilege of having the power to influence what transpires inside Israel. Without this basis, there can be no justification for a party's existence because a desire for influence is human nature. Democracy will also be harmed, and the day when it expires will not be too far off either.
Established around a decade ago following popular protests over the high cost of living in Israel, the New Likudnikim movement is driven by a desire to have an impact. It does not hide its goals or its members, and it conducts itself in a pattern similar to that of other population groups trying to influence politics. This was the essence of the Kibbutz and Moshavim Movements as well as Druze and Arab members who operated from inside the Labor party to influence the election of their representatives to realistic places in the Knesset.
The Likud, along with every other political party, must ensure the party remains relevant and maintains its institutions and powers. Should it fail to do so, activists will stay away from it because they will lose interest, and with time, the party will lose its broad public support. We have seen this process before.
To learn how important a party is to the public, take note of the disputes and discourse among its members. Every party that hopes to survive, grow, and influence the Israeli political arena must open its ranks to all those interested who accept their platform and meet its requirements.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
