THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF ISRAEL (maki)

The Founding Principles of the Communist Party of Israel CPI The Communist Party of Israel established in this land in the year 1919, when Palestine was under the rule of the British Mandate. At that time, a group of comrades established the Workers' Socialist Party, which in turn became the Palestinian Communist Party. In 1948, after the founding of the state of Israel, the party changed its name into the Communist Party of Israel. Throughout its history the comrades of the CPI, Jews and Arabs alike, have and continue to work for peace, equality, democracy, the rights of workers and women, and for the establishment of a socialist society. The Communist Party created for and acts as a force of deep social transformation, a force whose goal is the establishment of a different society. In the beginning of the third millennia, this change is desperately needed: The late capitalism is a regime characterized by deep and structural contradictions, injustices, the destruction of the ecosystem on a global level, the erosion of workers' accomplishments, and a global order centered on American imperialism. The globalization of the rule of capital cannot solve the social crisis; it is its main cause. The Communist Party of Israel fights for socialism- a humanist and democratic society of social justice. Socialism is a revolutionary social change that replaces capitalism- the regime of class exploitation- the exploitation of man by man. Socialism is the rule of the working class; social ownership over the major means of production, along with democratic institutions of planning and oversight for the benefit of all of society; a high quality of living and the rising material and cultural quality of life; national and ethnic equality; equality of rights for women in the society, the workplace and the family; pluralism of opinions, organizations and parties, alongside expanding democracy in politics, society and the economy. Socialism places the human being as the highest ideal and guarantees the rights, liberties and the free all-sided development of mankind. Socialism is not a final and static social order- but a dynamic and developing social system in continues renewal. The CPI, the party of revolutionary and renewing socialism, is guided by the principles of socialism in all of its struggles. The CPI is the party of class struggle, the revolutionary party of the working class and all the exploited classes, the party of internationalism and authentic patriotism, the Jewish-Arabic party that expresses the true interests of Israel for the benefit of all of its inhabitants. The CPI was the first, in this land, to propose a solution of peace for both Peoples. The CPI fights for a just, comprehensive and stable Israeli-Arabic peace, centered on the end of the Israeli Occupation and an Israeli-Palestinian peace of two states for two Peoples: the establishment of a Palestinian State, whose capital is Eastern Jerusalem, alongside the State of Israel whose capital is Western Jerusalem, and the resolution of the Palestinian refugee problem based on the relevant UN resolutions. The CPI fights for an Israel that is politically and economically independent from the reliance on the United States and international corporations, and for the integration of Israel in the region. The CPI fights for: (1) the interests and rights of the workers and the raising of their quality of life; the development of the country for the benefits of all its inhabitants, both Jews and Arabs, without discrimination; against all forms of racism, national chauvinism and social reaction; the defense of human rights and against all forms of discrimination; the defense of democratic liberties and against the danger of Fascism; (2) the equality of both civic and national rights of the Arab population in Israel and its recognition as a national minority; the legislation of an equal citizenship law; the defense of the rights of Arab citizens who were torn from their land and property; for Jewish-Arabic fraternity; (3) the equality of rights for women in all spheres; an end to all forms of violence and coercion towards women; (4) for an equality of rights of Mizrachi Jews; (5) for the defense of the rights of children and youths; (6) for the defense of foreign workers; (7) against militarism and for the recognition of the right of conscientious objection; (8) for the separation of religion and state; to guarantee freedom of conscience; the end of all forms of religious coercion; guaranteeing freedom of worship for all religions without discrimination, and the right of every person to freely choose a secular or religious way of life. In both th e past and the present, the Communist Party of Israel swims against the tide national chauvinism among Jews and Arabs. We reject the ideological roots and the praxis of Zionism, which breed racist attitudes and undermines equality and democracy. We reject the positions of the Arab Reaction. Our position is class struggle and internationalism: we divide the world differently. For us, the meaningful division isn't between Jews and Arabs but between those who have an interest in maintaining the class system and between those whose interest is to change it. That is why we can truly offer a joint Jewish-Arabic politics, instead of politics for Jews and politics for Arabs. We propose a joint path, based on a minimalist platform, for any who are willing to walk part of the path with us. That was the goal that led us in 1977 to form the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (D.F.P.E.-Hadash), which we see as an embodiment of true joint JewishArabic politics that needs to be strengthened, developed and broadened. The CPI works for the establishment of a wide Jewish-Arabic left front, that could offer both of our People a convincing platform to overcome the current crisis and embark on the path of peace and equality. The CPI strives for wide cooperation with parties, forums and people holding different worldviews based on an agreed-upon platform. The CPI wishes to be the political home of those striving for fundamental social change in Israel. On the path of change we want to walk together. This path is not an easy one, but it is the path towards a just future that we and our children deserve. www.maki.org.il/en CPI