The Meretz Executive made the following decision on December 31 regarding the fighting in Gaza and Israel's south. (Unofficial Translation)

1. The Meretz Executive calls for an immediate cease-fire, whether aided by various international initiatives, direct dialogue or even by unilateral announcement of a cease-fire for a fixed period. A long-range agreement on calm must guarantee quiet in southern Israel, a rapid conclusion of the negotiations for the release of Gilad Shalit and the opening of the crossings into and out of the Gaza Strip.
   
2. The Meretz Executive warns against the continuation of military action, especially against entering the Gaza Strip on land, which will lead to [Israel's] sinking in a quagmire, this time in Gaza.
   
3. The Meretz Executive condemns the ongoing attack on Israel's citizens by Hamas and the other terrorist organizations, and supports the State of Israel's right and obligation to defend its citizens.

On Monday, December 22, the Meretz party convention will meet to determine the party's slate of candidates for the February 10 Knesset elections. At the heart of the discussion will be a decision whether the party should run together with, "The New Movement", a relatively new but promising organization devoted to social-democracy, green initiatives, cultural liberalism and regional peace.

Among the founders of The New Movement are former Labor Party leaders, Avrum Burg and Uzi Baram, authors Amos Oz and A.B. Yehoshua, two of Peace Now's founders, Tsali Reshef and Janet Aviad, esteemed former diplomat Dave Kimche, and Adv. Talia Sasson, author of the groundbreaking Sasson Report on the growth of wildcat outposts on the West Bank.

Meretz leader Haim Oron ("Jumes") has encouraged party delegates to endorse the joint list with The New Movement. Here are selections from his letter this week to his fellow party members (the full text in Hebrew can be found here):

Dear friends,
We are about to inject a significant energy boost into the peace and social justice camp.