Tzalash: The Political Rise and Fall of Yosef Paritzky's Party
The history of Tzalash is a narrative of political friction, personal vendettas, and the volatile nature of parliamentary alliances. Formed in the wake of a dramatic fallout within the Shinui party, Tzalash serves as a case study in how internal disputes can lead to the creation of short-lived political entities.
The Origins of Tzalash
Tzalash was established in July 2004 by Yosef Paritzky, who served as a Member of the Knesset (MK) and the Infrastructure Minister. The party's inception followed Paritzky's expulsion from Shinui, a result of a scandal involving Avraham Poraz, the deputy leader of Shinui. Paritzky had hired a private investigator to probe Poraz's personal affairs in an attempt to publicly shame him.
While the police investigated Paritzky's actions, no formal charges were brought against him. However, the political damage was immediate, leading to his removal from the party.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Battle for the Knesset Seat
Following his expulsion, Shinui attempted to remove Paritzky from the Knesset entirely, seeking to replace him with another party representative. This effort was unsuccessful, as the Knesset House Committee—the body responsible for managing the internal affairs of the Israeli parliament—ruled that Paritzky could retain his seat.
Empowered by this decision, Paritzky announced the formation of Tzalash. His primary objective was not merely to establish a new political platform, but to ensure that Shinui failed to secure the minimum number of votes required to enter the Knesset in the 2006 elections.
The 2006 Elections and Aftermath
Despite the potential to receive 600,000 shekels in electoral funding, Tzalash ultimately did not participate in the 2006 elections. While the party itself did not run, Paritzky saw his personal goals realized through the failures of his rivals.
In January 2006, Avraham Poraz was defeated in Shinui's primary elections. Paritzky commented that both Poraz and party leader Tommy Lapid should have been removed from their positions long ago. The subsequent general elections saw both Shinui and Poraz's new party, Hetz, fail to win any seats in the Knesset.
| Entity | Key Figure | Outcome/Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tzalash | Yosef Paritzky | Did not contest 2006 elections; later used for New Right registration. |
| Shinui | Tommy Lapid | Failed to win seats in 2006 elections. |
| Hetz | Avraham Poraz | Failed to win seats in 2006 elections. |
| New Right | Breakaway from Jewish Home | Created using Tzalash's registration in 2018. |
Legacy and the New Right
Although Tzalash ceased to be an active political force shortly after its inception, its legal registration remained valuable. In 2018, this registration was utilized to establish the New Right, a political party that broke away from the Jewish Home faction.
Key Facts
- Founder: Yosef Paritzky, former Infrastructure Minister and MK.
- Catalyst: Paritzky's expulsion from Shinui in July 2004.
- Legal Conflict: Paritzky retained his Knesset seat via the Knesset House Committee despite Shinui's objections.
- Financials: The party was eligible for 600,000 shekels in electoral funding but did not run in 2006.
- Outcome: Both Shinui and the Hetz party failed to enter the Knesset in 2006.
- Later Use: The party's registration was used to form the New Right in 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Tzalash formed?
Tzalash was formed by Yosef Paritzky after he was expelled from the Shinui party following a scandal where he hired a private investigator to target deputy leader Avraham Poraz.
Did Tzalash ever win any seats in the Knesset?
No, Tzalash did not participate in the 2006 elections and did not hold seats as a party, although its founder, Yosef Paritzky, retained his individual seat through a committee ruling.
What happened to the Shinui and Hetz parties in 2006?
Both the Shinui party and Avraham Poraz's new party, Hetz, failed to win any seats in the 2006 elections.
How is Tzalash connected to the New Right party?
In 2018, the existing legal registration of Tzalash was used to create the New Right, which was a breakaway faction from the Jewish Home party.
Was Yosef Paritzky ever charged with a crime?
Although the police investigated Paritzky for his attempts to shame Avraham Poraz, no charges were brought against him.