Labor federation chief Nissenkorn joins Labor party
Citing his record as anti-poverty campaigner, Herzog welcomes Histadrut leader to 'party of social warriors'
Histadrut labor federation chief Avi Nissenkorn announced on Tuesday he had joined the Labor Party, bringing a potentially powerful political ally into the ranks of the party, which has struggled at the ballot box since last winning the premiership in 1999.
The move comes after Labor leader MK Isaac Herzog wooed Nissenkorn into the party long identified with the labor movement.
The two met Tuesday morning at the party’s Tel Aviv headquarters, where Nissenkorn signed his membership form.
“I am happy and proud to join the Labor Party,” Nissenkorn said. Israel’s social problems, he added, “demand that we marshal all of our public and political strength to fight growing poverty and the wide gaps in Israeli society.”
Herzog described Nissenkorn as an important social leader who has helped improve the lives of disadvantaged groups, including the disabled and senior citizens.
“Avi joins us because we are social warriors. We are the home of those who believe that repairing [Israel’s] socioeconomic reality is a national mission,” Herzog added.