Meretz voters want party in coalition

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
A majority of Meretz voters want the party to join the government despite new Meretz leader Haim Oron's decision to remain in the opposition, a Ma'agar Mohot taken for Israel Radio found Thursday. According to the poll, 59 percent of Meretz members want the party in the coalition, compared to 39% who oppose the move. The poll also found that 70% of Meretz voters do not believe that Oron's election will change the party's electoral standing. Oron convened his first meeting of the Meretz Executive Thursday in Sderot. He used the occasion to attack the government for not doing enough to improve the quality of life in Sderot and the surrounding areas.