Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash)
DEMOCRATIC FRONT FOR PEACE AND EQUALITY (HADASH)
Israeli political bloc, formed in 1977 by a union of a number of smaller parties of the left. Created following a schism in the Communist camp, HADASH, in which RAKAH was the dominant party, it favored the creation of a Palestinian state, and supported human rights and the creation of a socialist system in Israel. This bloc, which had about 2,000 members, the vast majority of whom were Arabs, won four seats in the Knesset in 1981 and 1988. In the elections of May 1991, the Arab bloc of Azmi Bishara, the Democratic National Alliance (Balad), had a list in common with HADASH and won five seats. At various Knesset sessions, HADASH has been backed by Arab groups, such as the Arab Democratic Party (ADP). In the May 1999 elections, HADASH obtained only three seats. This failure revealed the loss of influence of the movement among the Arab population of Israel as well as the broadening of the possible political representation for Arabs, including the Arab Democratic Party and an Islamic party. On the following 14 June, the secretary general of the party, Muhammad Baraki, was one of the candidates for the speakership of the Knesset. As of 2004, the principal figures in HADASH are: Muhammad Baraki (secretary general), Tamar Gozansky, Salah Salim, Hashim Mahamid, Ahmad Saad, Meir Wilner, and Neila Zayyad.
SEE ALSO Arab Democratic Party;Bishara, Azmi;Democratic National Alliance;RAKAH.