Hundreds of "dual" functionaries, members of the Labor Party and Meretz at the same time and contrary to the law, were discovered in an investigation conducted by "Israel Hayom" ahead of the primaries for the Meretz presidency and the party's list for the Knesset, which are to be held this coming Tuesday. Among the dual functionaries are also prominent activists in the work who previously served in positions in the party and as parliamentary advisers to members of the Knesset on its behalf.
not the first time
The inspection revealed 331 officials who are members of both parties at the same time.
It should be noted that this is a relatively low number compared to similar phenomena in the past, but this figure is also due to the fact that the number of party members, especially in the Labor Party, has decreased significantly in recent years.
In both parties, there have been cases in the past where the gap between candidates for the Knesset was only a few hundreds or even dozens of votes, so the dual functioning of hundreds of members could have a critical effect.
The primaries in March (archive), photo: Yehoshua Yosef
Among the dual functionaries are also some prominent activists from the Labor Party, some of whom even held official positions.
For example, Ma'ayan Dotan, former head of content and director of the internet sector in the Labor Party - is also a member of Meretz.
So did Mandy Shaked, who served as the parliamentary advisor to MK Yossi Yona, and Alon Visser, former head of the party's field headquarters. Mola Nimer, head of the Histadrut Yirka region, is also a member of both parties.
Secretary General Meretz Tomer Raznik said in response: "It will be made clear that the party prohibits membership in another party, and that every member of the party is required to sign a statement stating that he is not a member of another party.
It will also be clarified that the responsibility for arranging the cancellation of membership in another party lies with those who are or were members of another party.
"The allegations regarding approximately 300 double functionaries were not known to the party until the moment the query was received. In essence, the party will examine the individual allegations that were made, but at this stage we are unable to verify the allegations regarding alleged dual membership, and as long as they are found to be justified, they will be dealt with accordingly."
Tomer Reznik - archive, photo: Gideon Markowitz
Ma'ayan Dotan from the Labor Party said in response that "I was sure that membership in one party cancels membership in the other. Now that I have learned about it, I will make sure to settle the matter."
Mamola Nimer responded: "I was a member of the Labor Party unfortunately during the elections to the Histadrut in May of this year, and I saw that the chairman of the party did not support the Histadrut and I decided to leave the party.
I called by phone and unfortunately I didn't get a response, so I sent a letter to cancel my membership."
The Labor Party chose not to comment.
No response was received from Alon Visser and Mandy Shaked.
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