[On 19-4-21, I visited the Israeli parliament (Knesset) in order
to thank MK Mossi Raz for his part in initiating and organizing
the "alternative event" that took place at Weizmann on 11-4. 
This visit evolved into a one-hour meeting with thirteen
of the 120 members of the Knesset (i.e., MKs), in which each
of them spoke for a few minutes. The participating MKs are from
three different parliamentary fractions that are associated
with the left in Israel: Meretz, the "Joint List", and the Labor.
Following is a free translation of things that I said.] 


I came here to thank Mossi Raz for his part in initiating and organizing
the moving event that took place at the Weizmann Institute a week ago.
It was one of the happiest moments of my life: The love and support
that radiated from the audience were empowering beyond words.

I was also deeply moved by the fact that Mossi Raz, Ofer Cassif,
and Emily Moaty devoted their initiation speech at the current Knesset
to the affair that bears my name. Like them, I think that this affair
is not really about me and the Israeli Award, but rather represents another
(small) step in the process of de-legitimization of the left in Israel, 
a process that started decades ago but was intensified in recent years.
We are determined to stop this process and roll it back.

I am also grateful to the other MKs present here, and also to those
who support us but could not make it. Again, the issue is stopping
the process of de-legitimization of the left in Israel, which is
a necessary condition for trying to increase its power.

But what does left in Israel mean? I'm going to bore those who
are present here for the benefit of audiences not here.
As far as I am concerned, it means four issues:

1. Objecting to the continued oppression of the Palestinian
population in the occupied territories. I choose to talk
of oppression, in the stronger sense of this term.
Our political opponents claim that this oppression is a necessity,
and we disagree with them. But before arguing, one should ask
whether they see this oppression and understand its harshness. 

2. Objecting the continued exclusion and discrimination
of the Palestinian citizens of Israel. We demand total equality,
and abolishment of all laws and practices that position them as
a second rate citizens (at best). 

3. Objecting the harsh exploitation of large segments of the working class 
in Israel, and aiming to reduce the socio-economical gaps in the Israeli 
society; in particular, gaps between center and periphery, between wages 
and capital,
and between haves and have-nots. We have to stop the neo-liberal assault
on the working class, and reverse the process, I wish to stress that,
as far as I'm concerned, this issue also include the socio-economic gaps 
between Ashkenazim and Mizrachim in the jewish population in Israel. 

4. Objecting to discrimination and threat towards women and LGBTs,
which are currently at high risk due to the expected assault of
reactionary political powers. Once the assault is stopped, we have
to move to an open society that respects all the identities
and cultures, and includes all residents of Israel (including refugees). 


[Ayman Odeh, chair of the "Joint List", commented that in other countries
the foregoing issues would not have been termed leftist, since they
are actually the basics of progressive-liberalism.]