The Meimad Party, which has ceased to exist over the past decade, is busy organizing a kenos to jumpstart the party’s activities ahead of the next Knesset elections.

“Many people are saying ‘we don’t have a party to vote for’ Rabbi Michael Melchior explains. Melchior was a senior party official and government minister, and he is now moving to bring the party back to life. He explains he hears too many people exclaiming they have no one to vote for and therefore, he want to gather party faithful to determine if they should bring the party back to life. He adds it is unlikely Meimad would run alone, stating he has already received inquiries from some of those aware the party may return to the political scene.

Meimad was established in 1988 by one of the Roshei Yeshivat Har Etzion, Rabbi Yehuda Amital ZT”L along with Melchior. In 1999, it teamed up with the Labor party and Melchior was a minister and deputy minister under the Ehud Barak and Ariel Sharon administrations. The party labeled itself centrist-left-wing ahead of elections for the 16th Knesset in 2001, leading to disagreement among members on the party list and its backers. In 2009, teamed up with the Green party, Meidad did not enter Knesset.

Melchior, 64, is still the Chief Rabbi of Norway and served as Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Deputy Foreign Minister and MK for Meimad. Regarding teaming up with Bayit Yehudi, Rabbi Melchior told Kippa that a joint enterprise with them is unlikely. He stresses the good relations with Naftali Bennet and Ayelet Shaked, but states running together is not realistic.

Rabbi Melchior explains that he himself does not see coming back into politics, but feels it is time to leave this to the younger generation and Meimad has a following that is more than capable of meeting the challenge.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)