Meimad to decide on direction as Labor ties show signs of fading

Reports say Livni wants Melchior in her party to balance out her increasingly anti-religious image.

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
melchior 224.88 aj (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
melchior 224.88 aj
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
The Meimad Party is expected to make a decision this week on whether to continue its partnership with Labor, join forces with Kadima or turn in a different direction, the party's chairman, MK Rabbi Michael Melchior, said Saturday night. Melchior denied reports that his dovish, religious-Zionist party had already reached a deal with Kadima and broken its bond with Labor, which began in 1999 at the request of Labor chairman Ehud Barak. The reports said that Livni wanted Melchior in her party to balance out her increasingly anti-religious image. "There have been no formal meetings with anyone in Kadima or contacts beyond conversations in Knesset hallways with my friends in the party," Melchior said. "There are people in Kadima who want it to happen and it's not impossible, but I'm not ruling out Labor and other options. Many groups have called me who identify with Meimad, and it's encouraging that there are so many people who want the party to continue, even though it's not critical for me personally." Labor MKs have grumbled in recent days about the 10th slot on the party list that was reserved for Melchior in the last election. A Dialog poll in Haaretz published Thursday predicted that the party would win only 10 seats and an earlier poll sponsored by Labor itself revealed that an even poorer showing was possible. Sources in Labor said that due to the polls and the "overcrowding" of Labor candidates for a more limited number of Knesset seats, it was almost definite that the partnership with Meimad would end. Melchior said he was prepared for such a possibility. "Labor doesn't owe us anything," Melchior said. "Our agreement has lasted three elections, always at their request, and that is an accomplishment." Melchior said it was unlikely that the party would run alone due to the short time available ahead of the February 10 general election. The Green Party, which polls indicate could pass the 2 percent voter threshold for the first time, has in the past approached Melchior, who has led the Knesset's environmental lobby for the last two terms. But Melchior, the chairman of the Knesset Education Committee, said education was the most important issue to him and he would not want to run with a party that focuses narrowly on the environment. Green Party chairman Pe'er Visner said his party was currently focusing solely on the November 11 municipal elections and had not even begun yet to consider its slate for the Knesset race.