The upcoming elections will be the most consequential in the country’s history, and the opposition bloc “simply has to win,” Democrats MK Naama Lazimi told The Jerusalem Post ahead of her party’s primaries on Monday.
Lazimi received the second slot on the Democrats list after the internal primaries took place, during which more than 97,000 registered members of the party cast their ballots.
The left-wing Democrats are one of the core parties in the opposition bloc seeking to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of elections set for October 27.
The party was established in 2024 by the merging of the Labor and Meretz parties. Yair Golan was selected at the time to lead the party.
In an interview with the Post, Lazimi sharply criticized the legislative blitz carried out by Netanyahu’s coalition during the final week before the Knesset’s summer recess. She said it underscored why the government needed to be replaced.
‘We have to win. There is simply no other option’
“This past week made it even clearer just how important these elections are for the future of the country.
“I truly believe these are the most consequential elections Israel has ever faced. We have to win. There is simply no other option,” she said.
Lazimi had been actively involved in protests against the government’s judicial reform and also demonstrated against the government, calling for a hostage deal during the Israel-Hamas War.
In addition, during her time as an active opposition MK, she brought petitions forward to the High Court of Justice to strike down contentious coalition legislation.
Among the numerous laws passed last week by the coalition were bills backed by the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties that critics argue encourage draft evasion amid the IDF’s manpower shortage.
Other controversial legislation passed during the week included a bill to significantly weaken the role of the attorney-general, along with a sweeping reform of the country’s broadcasting sector.
Speaking on the legislative blitz, Lazimi said that it was an “extremely difficult week.”
“They passed legislation that is part of the judicial overhaul, legislation encouraging draft evasion, distorted priorities, gender segregation in academia; everything was so deeply distorted,” she said.
Lazimi explains goals as education minister
Lazimi also outlined her plans for the next government, stating that she was aiming to become the country’s next education minister.
She explained that her goal was to hold the education portfolio so that she could “address the deepest issues facing the education system, both in terms of equal opportunity and strengthening democracy.”
She said she planned to lead in “a way that protects our rights and brings about the major reforms that the system so desperately needs.”
Regarding the party’s past merger with Meretz, Lazimi said that the alliance had come together well. “In the end, everything comes together. It’s one party now, and you can see that everything has integrated well,” she said.
Lazimi also expressed that she was proud that the party list was organized using a “zipper” system, alternating between women and men. “We are committed to maintaining equal representation between men and women,” she noted.
Lazimi spoke on the nature of the party, outlining its values and beliefs, saying that it was “the only democratic party in the democratic camp that allows the public to take part in the decision-making process, to participate, and to have an influence.”
“We also see that the public wants this. Around 113,000 people registered as party members in order to be part of the process, to have a meaningful role, to vote, and ultimately shape both the party list and the party itself,” she added regarding the primaries.
“That shows how meaningful and important this is,” she said.
Lazimi also spoke on her personal connection to the party, saying that she deeply believes in the Democrats.
“I was one of the founders of the Democrats, together with Yair Golan and MK Gilad Kariv. We were there from the beginning, and I think it’s one of the most important political achievements we’ve ever made.”
Source:
www.jpost.com
