Left-wing to far-left political coalition in Israel
For the concept within Kashrut (the Jewish dietary regulations), see Chodosh.
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Hadash members demonstrating against water privatization in Israel. The speaker is Dov Khenin; Ayman Odeh is standing to his left and Mohammad Barakeh on his rightHadash members demonstrating for social justice, Tel Aviv 2012. The banner in Hebrew and Arabic states: "The people demand social justice"
The party was formed on 15 March 1977 when the New Communist List (Rakah) and Non-Partisans parliamentary group changed its name to Hadash in preparation for the 1977 elections. The non-partisans included some members of the Black Panthers (several others joined the Left Camp of Israel) and other left-wing non-communist groups. Within the Hadash movement, Rakah (which was renamed Maki, a Hebrew acronym for "Communist Party of Israel", in 1989) has retained its independent status.
In its first electoral test, Hadash won five seats, an increase of one from Rakah's four. But in the next elections in 1981 the party was reduced to four seats. It maintained its four seats in the 1984 elections, gaining another MK when Muhammed Wattad defected from Mapam in 1988. The 1988 election resulted in another four-seat haul, though the party lost a seat when Charlie Biton broke away to establish Black Panthers as an independent faction on 25 December 1990. The 1992 elections saw the party remain at three seats.
In the 2003 elections Hadash ran on another joint list, this time with Ahmed Tibi's Ta'al. The list won three seats,[12] but again split during the parliamentary session, leaving Hadash with two MKs, Barakeh and Makhoul.
Hadash is a left-wing party that has supported a socialist economy[15] and workers' rights.[needs update] It emphasizes Jewish–Arab cooperation, and its leaders were among the first to support a two-state solution. Its voters are principally middle-class and secular Arabs, many from the north and Christian communities.[16] It also drew 6,000–10,000 far-left Jewish voters during national elections in the 2010s.[17][needs update]
The party supports evacuation of all Israeli settlements, a complete withdrawal by Israel from all territories occupied as a result of the Six-Day War, and the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It also supports the right of return or compensation for Palestinian refugees. In addition to issues of peace and security, Hadash is known for being active on social and environmental issues.[18] In keeping with socialist ideals, Hadash's environmental platform, led in the 2010s by Maki official Dov Khenin,[19] calls for the nationalization of Israel's gas, mineral, and oil reserves.[20][needs update]
Hadash has called for the recognition of Palestinian Arabs as a national minority within Israel.[21] It has in recent times included elements of Arab nationalism in its platform.[22]
Hadash shifted to a more Arab nationalist appeal after running on a joint list with Ta'al in 2003.[23]
In 2015, Hadash declared its support for international campaigns against companies operating in the occupied Palestinian territories.[24]
Controversy
On 1 November 2009, then party leader Mohammad Barakeh was indicted on four counts for events that occurred between April 2005 and July 2007: assault and interfering with a policeman in the line of duty, assault on a photographer, insulting a public servant, and attacking an official who was discharging his legal duty.[25][26] The charges related to his role in a protest against Israeli government policy, and were considered controversial mainly by those who opposed such protests.
^The Hebrew name Hadash (Hebrew: חד״ש, lit. 'New') is an abbreviation of HaHazit HaDemokratit LeShalom VeLeShivion, lit.'The Democratic Front for Peace and Equality'. Its Arabic name al-Jabhah ad-Dimuqrāṭiyyah lis-Salām wal-Musāwāt is abbreviated Aljabha, lit.'Front'
^Gregory Moore (2008). Spencer C. Tucker) (ed.). Encyclopedia of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. ABC-CLIO. p. 276. ISBN978-1851098415. In the Knesset elections held on March 28, 2006, Hadash, a far-left coalition made up of the Israeli Communist Party and other leftist groups, garnered three Knesset seats (out of 120).
^Zafrir Rinat (20 December 2012). "It's the environment, stupid". Haaretz. Retrieved 15 June 2015. Hadash is adhering to its socialist origins and asking to nationalize the gas, mineral and oil reserves.
