Meretz
Party Platform
Economy:
"In order to achieve its economic and social objectives, Israel
must aspire to maximal integration of its economy with the world
economy, particularly with the European community."
Israel's integration into the global and European economy, depends
upon buttressing the manufacturing-industrial sector and turning
it into a beneficiary of investment."
"To increase productivity in the business and export sectors,
the economy must be allowed to function under the same conditions
that prevail in competing countries. In order to guarantee export
profitability, the matrix of economic conditions interest rates,
taxes, levies, wages, and other manufacturing-related costs must
be coordinated and adjusted gradually to the levels prevailing
among competitors. At the end of this process, per capita productivity
and income in Israel will be comparable with those in the wealthy
nations of Europe. This depends as well, on continuing the process
of mutual lowering of tariffs, thus enabling Israel to realize
its relative advantages in international markets."
"Mutual lowering of tariffs with third countries, and the necessity
of fostering competitive exports, require the Israeli economy
to continue to become more efficient and to encourage domestic
competitiveness. We must actively oppose monopolies and cartels,
which cause inefficiency and hurt consumers, and guarantee openness
and competition in all sectors of the economy."
"Public economic organizations such as government companies,
adjunct units, factories, and companies owned by municipal authorities,
must be subject to the rules that arise from the right of the
public to know, and from the right of effective participation
of public representatives in their controlling institutions. One
must curtail the unfair advantages that, over the years, have
accrued to privileged organizations and corporations that impair
the economy's competitiveness and prevent the efficient use of
national resources. In contrast, one should encourage personal
and organizational entrepreneurship which generates a high standard
of living for the general public, on the one hand, and narrows
gaps and fosters social leadership on the other hand."
"The process of privatization of those economic enterprises owned
by the state which are not natural monopolies will continue, so
long as the general welfare is not adversely affected, while guaranteeing
the rights of employees in two ways: (a) employees' acquisition
of shares under preferential conditions; (b) continued employment
in the company for a minimum period to be determined, or suitable
severance pay. Companies that remain under state ownership will
be subject to public regulation by a special public authority."
"Taxation levels must be fixed with the aims of guaranteeing
the state the necessary resources to carry out its economic and
social policies, encouraging new economic initiatives, and reducing
the motivation for tax evasion. Action should be taken to change
the ratio of direct and indirect taxes, and in general, to reduce
the proportion of indirect taxation in overall tax revenues."
"Continued action should be taken to reduce the national budget
deficit, as circumstances allow; since as part of its integration
into the global and European economy, Israel must maintain single-digit
levels of inflation annually. Inflation is not only destructive
to the economy, but it is also a prime factor in social inequality,
and it is particularly harmful to the disadvantaged, who cannot
defend themselves against it. Low inflation rates will be achieved
by increasing production and productivity, and by responsible
budgetary policy that will cut wasteful spending for non-essential
purposes."
"An economy that fosters economic growth and increased exports
that will raise the GNP by 4 percent per annum over the next four
years (in fixed dollar terms), i.e., from $16,000 per capita to
approximately $19,000 per capita."
"An Economy That Rewards Its Entrepreneurs and Workers? The increase
in the GNP will be accompanied by a commitment to a gradual reduction
of the tax burden (direct as well as indirect), from 40 percent
of the GNP this year to 36% in the fourth year of the next government's
term of office."
" A Just Society Narrowing the economic gap and raising the level
of social equality. The experience of recent years has shown that
economic growth has been accompanied by a widening of the gaps
and a drop in the level of social equality. Therefore, the next
government must continue to curb inflation, which aside from its
destructive effect on the economy, is one of the key factors in
widening economic gaps. Those with assets and income find ways
to defend themselves against inflation, but those without assets
who earn low incomes are its victims. A deliberate policy to achieve
a declining inflation trend at Europe's level (a 3 percent rise
in consumer prices per year) by the year 2000, which is acceptable
to Meretz, must not come at the expense of growth and it requires
complete coordination between the fiscal sector (the Ministry
of Finance) and the monetary sector (the Bank of Israel)."
"…the government must accompany the increase in national income
with an improvement in the standard of progressivity of the tax
system and, adjust the tax brackets in a manner that will gradually
reduce inequities in the distribution of disposable income."
Jerusalem:
"Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, will remain indivisible. The
city's permanent status, to be determined in the peace agreement,
will take into account all the unique religious and national attributes
of the city."
Religion and State:
"The State of Israel will realize the values of humanistic Zionism,
acting to strengthen its ties with Diaspora Jews of all religious
streams."
"Every Jew has the right to immigrate to Israel, acquire citizenship,
and live here. This right should not be restricted in religious
terms. Recognition of an individual's Jewish status will be made
according to pluralistic and liberal standards, and citizenship
according to the Law of Return will be granted to any person who
declares in good faith that he/she is Jewish. Individuals will
be refused entry only for substantive reasons, such as in the
case of dangerous criminals, and not for Halachic reasons."
"The State of Israel is governed by civil law, not by the Halacha."
"The state will respect and guarantee the right of all citizens
and residents Jews and non-Jews, secular and religious to live
their lives according to their beliefs and viewpoints, in private
and in public, during the week and on holidays, in building their
family and in educating their children, in culture and in entertainment,
without any coercion by one side over another in religious matters.
"
"The State of Israel will respect the desire of every individual
to practice the commandments of his/her religion in his/her own
way, and will ensure that all religious streams enjoy equality
in all areas of life. Women will be permitted to pray at sacred
sites on a completely equal basis. The principle of freedom of
religion, including freedom from religion, requires the separation
of religion and politics, and the separation of religious institutions
from the institutions of the state."
"Every religious community and stream is entitled to establish
its own religious courts, which will discuss matters relating
to the personal status of the members of those communities who
voluntarily accept the judicial authority of these courts. Other
religious institutions, such as the Chief Rabbinate, the municipal
rabbinates, and the religious councils, should also be a forum
for the voluntary organization of citizens interested in these
bodies rather than a subject for state legislation. Public support
for religious services must be provided on a substantive and egalitarian
basis; religious officials who receive salaries from public funds
will be prevented from engaging in political activities."
"Civil marriage and divorce will be introduced alongside the
existing religious system, so that any adult man and woman will
be free to realize their right to establish a family without religious
restrictions, enjoying equal rights in the act of marriage, during
the marriage, and in the event of divorce. Every citizen will
be free to choose between the range of religious marriages and
civil marriage."
"In family law such as alimony, child custody, and the division
of assets religious and civil courts will be given equal powers
of authority; in cases where there is a dispute between the parties
as to which legal framework should be used, the civil system will
be preferred. "
"The law against bigamy will be enforced, and the legal provision
allowing men to take a second wife according to a rabbinical permit
will be abolished."
"Civil cemeteries will be established alongside the existing
religious cemeteries, as decided by the Ministerial Committee
for Secular Burial established on the initiative of the Meretz
ministers, and as recently legislated by the Knesset on the initiative
of Meretz. Every person, regardless of origin, religion, or belief,
will be entitled to a decent burial conducted in accordance with
the wishes of the deceased person or his/her family."
"The decisions of the Supreme Court granting equality to the
different Jewish streams will be anchored in legislation, and
the status of the Conservative and Reform movements will be recognized
in the fields of conversion, the religious councils, and the provision
of state funds. Basic Laws will guarantee freedom of conscience
and freedom of religion, including freedom from religion and the
equal legal status of all Jewish streams."
"All vital services will operate on Sabbath and holidays at the
required level, including public transport and cultural, entertainment,
and sporting activities, while avoiding causing offense to the
feelings of religious citizens in their neighborhoods and striving
to preserve the special character of the Sabbath and of the Jewish
holidays."
"Religious restrictions that hinder the performance of autopsies
or organ transplants to save human life, even when the deceased
or his/her family have expressed their consent, will be abolished."
"The right of every woman to decide to terminate her pregnancy
will be ensured; terminations will be performed in appropriate
conditions and under authorized medical supervision."
"The religious restrictions on the freedom of research in the
fields of archaeology and anthropology will be abolished."
"The state education system will strive to inculcate the humane
values of Jewish tradition and of human culture in general, presenting
the spiritual wealth of Jewish tradition from a pluralistic position,
and refraining from any kind of preaching or coercion to engage
in ritual expressions of faith."
"An effort will be made to unify state and state-religious schools
in those areas where the parents express their consent. Unified
schools will provide pupils who so wish with special classes in
religion, tradition, and the commandments."
"The state-religious education system will not reject teachers
on religious grounds for subjects other than religious studies.
The educational autonomy of these schools will apply only to the
religious subjects, and all connections between state-religious
schools and the religious parties will be severed."
"Yeshiva students will be drafted for full service in the IDF,
while taking into consideration their conditions of study and
the needs of the IDF. Religious young women who are exempted from
army service will be integrated in the national service framework
for the entire period of military service."
Peace Process:
"Comprehensive peace with the Arab world is a diplomatic and
security objective of the highest priority; and can only be achieved
by reaching a permanent settlement with the Palestinian people,
and signing peace treaties with Syria and Lebanon."
"…the Palestinian Authority in whom the Israeli public has lost
a great degree of confidence to take far-reaching measures against
terror, as well as to comply fully with its commitments in keeping
with the Oslo accords, including the repeal of the Palestinian
covenant in its present form."
"There is no alternative to continuing the peace process between
Israel and the Palestinians. Any attempt to turn back the clock
and revert to being an occupation regime, even to a partial extent,
is against Israel's interests and its fundamental values."
"The choice is obvious: compromise and partition of the land
between the two peoples, or eternal conflict between them."
"Meretz views the realization of the Palestinian people's right
to self-determination as an established basis for any future peace
settlement. The significance of this is the recognition of its
right to establish an independent state alongside the State of
Israel, peacefully coexisting with Israel, and based on ensuring
the security of both sides and strict compliance with the agreements
existing between them. Israel would also regard positively the
establishment of a confederation between the Palestinian state
and Jordan, should the Palestinians and Jordanians so desire."
"The cease-fire lines of 1949 have never been internationally
recognized borders. The permanent borders between Israel and the
Palestinian state will be determined in negotiations between the
parties; and Israel will have to withdraw from most of the territories
that were occupied in the Six Day War, as will be agreed. The
central considerations in determining the border demarcations
must be those related to security and demography, so that Israel's
security will be enhanced, and as few Palestinian residents of
the territories as possible will remain under Israeli rule, and
as few Israelis as possible under Palestinian rule."
"Israeli withdrawal is conditional upon security arrangements
that will enable Israel to preempt threats quickly and efficiently.
The evacuated territories will be demilitarized, and any violation
will entitle Israel to act in accordance with the fundamental
right of self-defense, a right that shall be guaranteed in both
the peace agreements and the regional security arrangements. Any
agreement will guarantee that no foreign army or terrorist force
will cross the Jordan River westward, nor establish its bases
there."
"The establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside
the State of Israel will make a normal reality of the separation
between two sovereign nations, peacefully coexisting one with
the other, and working together cooperatively to their mutual
benefit. Without such a clear-cut separation, Israel is compelled
time and again to resort to the problematic measure of imposing
a closure on the territories of the Palestinian Authority, and
on the territories in general, a step that is damaging to both
sides."
"Massive employment of Palestinian workers in Israel entails
grave security risks and creates a fundamentally abnormal situation
from a human and societal point of view. It is offensive to the
Palestinian workers themselves, because of the unavoidable security
restrictions and checks involved in entering Israel; it entails
unfortunate incidences of exploitation; and it also hinders the
development of an independent economy within the territories of
the Palestinian Authority. This cheap labor also affects the wages
of Israeli workers and impedes technological progress in various
sectors of the Israeli economy. A clear separation between the
two populations is desirable both from a security standpoint,
and as a way of perpetuating Israeli-Palestinian peace."
"Until there is a fixed border between Israel and the Palestinian
state, the demarcation line between the sovereign State of Israel
and the territories will be the state's temporary border. The
immediate manifestation of the requisite separation is closure
of this temporary border and stricter control at border-crossing
points in order to prevent illegal crossings. Once the border
is fixed, it will be possible to gradually increase the passage
of goods and people from one side to the other, as is the norm
between neighboring countries."
"With the reduction in the number of Palestinians working in
Israel, it will be necessary to guarantee other sources of income
for Palestinians during the interim period, and to develop alternatives
to their employment in the Israeli economy. In order to make this
possible from an economic standpoint, significant regional and
international financial assistance will be necessary for a number
of years and primarily, investment that will lay the infrastructure
for an independent Palestinian economy, including construction
of a shipping port in the Gaza Strip. Israel will be willing to
participate in this international effort. Israel will encourage
the establishment of zones along the border with the Palestinian
Authority in which economic projects will be undertaken under
joint Israeli and Palestinian management or ownership."
"The establishment of an independent Palestinian economy will
enable trilateral economic cooperation with Israel and Jordan
that will augment the movement of goods and merchandise among
the parties, along the lines of the North American NAFTA agreement.
Raising the Palestinians' standard of living will lessen the motivation
for religious fanaticism and terror, and when the security and
economic situation so permits, it will be possible to remove the
restrictions on the movements of workers as well."
Lebanon:
"In spite of the radical positions dominating Syrian policy,
especially recently, peace with Syria is of strategic importance
for Israel. Peace with Syria will remove the danger of a surprise
attack, will bring peace and quiet to the northern border with
Lebanon, and will pave the way for peace with most Arab nations.
Therefore, in exchange for full peace with Syria, anchored in
rigid security arrangements and guaranteeing Israel's water sources,
Israel must agree to gradual withdrawal to the international border."
"The peace agreement with Syria must guarantee that the Golan
Heights will never again serve as a launching area for aggression
against Israel, its settlements or its water sources. The security
arrangements to be determined will have to be comprehensive and
variegated; and they will be based on widespread demilitarization,
reduction of forces, sophisticated early warning measures, normalization
of relations between the two nations, and international guarantees."
"The peace agreement will also bring peace with Lebanon, thus
thwarting Hizbullah terror, guaranteeing the security of northern
Israeli localities, enabling withdrawal from the security strip
in southern Lebanon, and ending the many years of bloodshed along
our northern border. The well-being of the members of the SLA
and Lebanese citizens working in Israel will be guaranteed."
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