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Israeli communists vow to lead united struggle against Bennett government

COMMUNISTS gathered in Israel vowed to fight “against racism and Jewish superiority” in the country at a three-day party conference which concluded in Shfaram on Saturday.

The Communist Party of Israel, known alternatively as Maki, said that “only a substantial and profound democratic change in dominant views” would rescue the country from a deepening crisis.

“The people of Israel need a political force capable of fighting for full national and civic equality of rights for the Arab-Palestinian national minority in Israel, and which will fight all signs of racism and Jewish superiority in the country,” a statement from the party’s central committee said.

Maki said its members were actively involved in the mass political and social protests which swept the country during the final year of former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rule.

Anger over government corruption and the erosion of democracy saw protesters gather on bridges and squares in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other cities.

But Maki said that the fall of the Netanyahu government and its replacement by the right-wing formation headed by Prime Minister Natfali Bennett opens up a new situation which places heavy responsibility on the party.

“Both Maki and Hadash must prepare themselves politically and organisationally,” the party said, in order to absorb activists and organisations in the Jewish and Arab public.

It said that Maki was “a source of hope for the growing forces” that are fighting against the Israeli government, and said its members must give a political lead in the broad popular struggles that will emerge.

Maki was founded in Tel Aviv in 1919 and is one of the oldest parties in the region.

It says that ending the country’s crisis can only be achieved by “ending the Israeli occupation and recognition of the Palestinian people’s national rights.”

It fights for an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel as the basis of peace and for “a joint Jewish-Arab communist alliance, struggle and friendship.” 

The party conference condemned Israel’s right-wing government for its attack on social rights and deepening of neoliberalism through “militarisation of the economy and politics, reducing public spending and increasing the wealth and influence of the tycoons.”

But it warned that the struggle was blunted by the Histadrut trade union confederation, which it said was “a partner in the neoliberal policies of governments and capitalists.” 

Working-class unity is necessary in the fight for a democratic Israel, the party said, placing itself at the forefront of the struggle.

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