What Matters Now to Haviv Rettig Gur: What's left of the left?
Nov 21, 2024
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Haviv Rettig Gur, a senior analyst at the Times of Israel, dives deep into the current state of Israeli politics. He discusses the surprising rise of Yair Golan and the newly minted Democrats coalition, paralleling this with struggles faced by the Israeli left. The conversation touches on the aging Labor electorate and the radical stance of the Hadash party, revealing tensions within the left. Gur critiques how current political dynamics reflect broader sociocultural identities and questions the authenticity of leftist movements amidst national crises.
The Israeli left's failure to present a viable alternative amid political upheaval mirrors the recent struggles of the U.S. Democratic Party.
To remain relevant, the center-left must shift focus from identity politics to pressing national issues like security and economic stability.
Deep dives
Democratic Failures and Future Implications in Israel
The discussion highlights the perceived missteps of the Israeli left and center, drawing parallels with the Democratic Party's recent electoral failures in the U.S. The underlying issue revolves around the parties' inability to challenge long-held assumptions, leading to unrealistic expectations among their supporters. For instance, current polling indicates that Prime Minister Netanyahu's Likud party remains the most favorable among voters, despite the controversy surrounding its leadership during the October 7th incident. This situation illustrates how the left in Israel has similarly struggled to present a viable alternative, failing to capitalize on recent political upheavals.
The Stagnation of Party Leadership
The conversation delves into the changing landscape of leadership within the Israeli center-left, particularly focusing on the newly rebranded Democratic Party led by Yair Golan. Although Golan is respected due to his military background and proactive actions during emergencies, he faces skepticism regarding his left-leaning policies, particularly in the context of rising nationalist sentiments. The center-left's challenge is exacerbated as its traditional voter base ages and dwindles, leading to further political fragmentation. Amid this backdrop, the past leaders' ideologies, which often focused on niche issues, seem increasingly irrelevant to the pressing national concerns of Israelis.
Political Tribalism and Its Impact
The podcast emphasizes the deeply tribal nature of Israeli politics, asserting that voters are more inclined to adhere to ethnic, religious, or cultural identities than to align with policy agendas. This tribalism is evidenced by the voting patterns that suggest Israelis often vote according to their sociocultural affiliations rather than what each party may offer. The irrelevance of policy discussions within parties like Labor and Meretz results in alienation of potential supporters who feel that their concerns are not being adequately addressed. Consequently, the center-left parties face an uphill battle in winning over voters when their proposals are often seen as disconnected from the realities and values of the broader public.
The Need for a Revitalized Center-Left Approach
The speakers assert that the center-left needs to develop a more coherent and compelling narrative to remain relevant amidst changing demographics and political sentiments. They suggest that the center-left must tap into the broader national discourse by addressing pressing issues such as national security and economic stability rather than solely focusing on identity politics. By presenting a united front with a clear set of actionable policies, the center-left can potentially attract disillusioned voters from both its own base and the broader electorate. Without embracing significant changes and adapting their approach, the center-left risks further marginalization in the current political landscape.
Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan and senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur.
Inspired by an op-ed by David Brooks in the New York Times called “Why We Got It So Wrong,” the pair discuss how a similar misconception of the political landscape may afflict Israel's center-left as it did the Democratic party.
Rettig Gur discusses a newer face on the political landscape -- October 7-hero and Democrats head Yair Golan -- and talks about how his rise is in many ways a return to "classic" Labor. But, he adds, the classic Labor electorate is rapidly aging -- or fleeing that party.
We hear about a party so far-left as to be an anomaly -- Hadash -- and how extremely controversial comments from its "token" Jewish member MK Ofer Cassif have recently seen him suspended from the Knesset for six months.
We learn that Israel's many parties are a remnant of Israeli tribalism -- which may or may not be how Israelis are voting today.
So this week, we ask Haviv Rettig Gur, what matters now.