People & Partners

Israeli Labor Party

The Israeli Labor Party, HaÁvoda (Havoda), was established in 1968 following the merger of three left wing political parties. From independence until 1977, all Israeli Prime Ministers were affiliated with Havoda (or one of its predecessors). The Party was a member of the Socialist International until July 2028 and was subsequently a member of the Progressive Alliance and an observer member of the Party of European Socialists.

On 30 June 2024, Havoda agreed to a type of merger with Meretz and campaign under the name The Democrats. The agreement was ratified by delegates of both parties on 12 July 2024.

Under the agreement, Havoda and Meretz continue as separate corporate and budgetary entities, and their factions in the Histadrut, municipal councils and other bodies outside the Knesset remain separate with a degree of cooperation.

HISTADRUT

Histadrut or the General Organisation of Workers in Israel is Israels national trade union centre, representing the majority of trade unionists in the State of Israel. With its 700,000 members, it accounts for five-sixths of Israels unionised population. The Histadrut Leumi is a distant second with 100,000 members, followed by two newer union groups, Koach L’Ovdim (Power to the Workers) with a membership of 35,000 and WAC-MAAN with a membership of 2500.

Established in December 1920 in Mandatory Palestine, the Histadrut soon became one of the most powerful institutions in pre-state Israel.

The Histadrut is an affiliate of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and is an active participant in the ITUC Asia Pacific Regional Organisation ((ITUC – AP). Prior to establishment of the ITUC in 2006, the Histadrut was a member of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU).

Israeli and Australian unions are involved in the global union framework.

In 2012, the OECD estimated that Israel had trade union density of 23%, compared to Australia at 18.2%. In 2016, OECD data specified Australia had a trade union density of 14.5%.

Britain Israel Trade Union Dialogue (BITUD)

Britain Israel Trade Union Dialogue (BITUD) promotes a dialogue between British, Israeli and Palestinian unionists.

Since 2010, AILD has conducted several joint missions with BITUD to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Labour Friends of Israel

Labour Friends of Israel, formed in October 1957, is a British organisation that works closely with members of the Labour Party, unions and other progressive groups to strengthen political and cultural ties between the United Kingdom and Israel.

LFI promotes a negotiated two-state solution for two peoples with the State of Israel living behind safe, secure and recognised borders alongside a democratic and independent Palestinian state.