DEMOCRATIC FRONT FOR PEACE AND EQUALITY

Democratic Front for Peace and Equality: translation

(Hadash)

   In 1977, Rakah (see COMMUNIST PARTY; NEW COMMUNIST LIST [RAKAH]) and some members of the Israeli Black Panthers joined to form the Hadash (acronym for Hazit Demokratit Leshalom Uleshivyon) political party. Hadash, the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality, contested Knesset elections beginning in 1977.Its program has called for Israeli withdrawal from all the territories occupied in the Six-Day War, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the representative of the Palestinians, and a number of measures to improve the situation of the disadvan-taged classes in Israel. The party won five seats in the 14th Knesset (1996) and three seats in the 15th Knesset (1999). Hadash—in coalition with Ta'al (Arab Movement for Change), headed by Ahmed Tibi—won three seats in the 2003 election and three in 2006.

   See also Arab Political Parties; Arabs in Israel.