Yachimovich casts Labor as socialist alternative

Party head calls for dethroning Netanyahu and establishing a social-democratic society

By Aaron Kalman 7 May 2012, 5:24 pm

Edit

Aaron Kalman is a former writer and breaking news editor for the Times of Israel

Labor Party chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich holds a press conference at the Knesset in February. (photo credit: Abir Sultan/Flash 90)

Labor Party head Shelly Yachimovich launched the party’s election campaign on Monday with a call for Israel to take a more socialist approach to government.

“Our goal is to establish an alternative, responsible, social-democratic government,” Yachimovich said.

Refuting claims by Kadima party leader Shaul Mofaz that Labor had decided to join Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s agenda, Yachimovich said, “We challenge the assumption that Netanyahu will rule forever. We intend to topple Netanyahu’s government.”

Saying that the French presidential election showed that socialist parties still have a say in the world, and congratulating Francois Hollande for winning the presidency, Yachimovich claimed that in Israel’s upcoming election, “the only alternative is the Labor Party.”