Labor Party head, Ehud Barak and the head of Mafdal, minister
Yitzchak Levi, have signed an anti-violence pact designed to
moderate the intensity of political warfare during the
current election campaign. In remarks during a brief signing
ceremony at Labor's Knesset offices, Barak invoked the murder
of Prime Minister Rabin as an example of what can happen when
political rhetoric gets out of control.
"Even across the gulf of political warfare, it is crucial to
have a strand of common understanding linking the opposing
sides," Barak said. He expressed hope that the heads of the
other political parties, including Prime Minister Netanyahu,
affix their signatures to this document. Mafdal head, Levi,
hailed the agreement as the opening of a new page in Israel's
political life, and as proof that concrete understandings can
exist despite all political differences. The pact -- entitled
"Chaim Umoves Beyad Haloshon" -- was the inspiration
of Dr. Yuli Tamir, who is presently competing in the Labor
Party primaries.
The contract, which condemns violence, incitement and
sloganeering that can lead to the de-legitimatization of
groups or individuals, reads as follows:
"We call on those on all levels charged with waging the
current election campaign to take measures insuring that
political discourse be conducted at the maximum possible
level of civility and do honor to the body politic of Israel.
Every safeguard should be taken to avoid circumstances
conducive to the breeding of violence."
In an interesting sidelight, UTJ's M. K. Rabbi Avrohom
Lazerson, who witnessed the signing ceremony by chance,
availed himself of the opportunity to confront Barak as to
whether the newly promised standard of fair play would
include the removal of chareidi-hostile billboards put up
across the country by Labor. Refusing to be cornered, Barak
answered evasively with a reference to the new priorities he
will bring about if elected, in which educational and ethical
themes will be paramount.
