Tent protesters plan political party

"Ma'ariv": The protest leaders want to translate their public support into political power if they cannot achieve real change in the government's priorities.

Hebrew daily "Ma'ariv" reports that the tent protest leaders have begun setting up a political party that will run in the next Knesset elections. There have only been some initial discussion about the idea, and no general decision has been taken.

"Ma'ariv" says that the protest leaders want to translate their public support into political power if they cannot achieve real change in the government's priorities. Opponents of the idea say that it would hurt the purity of the struggle, which has been kept apolitical so far. The protest leaders counter that only a party of their own would prove that no other political party is influencing the protest.

The protest leaders are reviewing their options. "Ma'ariv" says that, in the coming weeks, they will make a decision whether to set up an independent party, based on the progress of the Trajtenberg committee.

A joint poll by "Globes", "The Jerusalem Post" and the Smith Institute in early August found that if elections were held now, a tent party could win over 20 Knesset seats. The poll indicates that Dafni Leef and her colleagues have strong electoral potential, reflecting the public's frustration and disappointment with its elected politicians.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 18, 2011

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2011

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