Ratz

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For the animated television series of the same name, see Ratz (TV series).

For the comic strip of the same name featured in The Beano, see Ratz (comic strip).

Ratz (Hebrew: רצ) was a left-wing Israeli political party. Ratz was originally the letters Resh-Tzadik that were printed on the party's paper notes at the polling stations, but became the party's unofficial name. The party's full Hebrew name was: התנועה לזכויות האזרח ולשלום, literally "The Movement for Civil Rights and Peace".

Ratz was formed in 1973 by former Labour Knesset member Shulamit Aloni. Its independent existence lasted until 1992, when it became the largest part in Meretz, retaining partial independence until Meretz's official merger in 1997. Meretz is now part of Meretz-Yachad.

Ratz was identified first and foremost with Aloni who founded it 48 hours after parting with the Labour party, and headed it throughout its existence. As a member of the Israeli peace camp it opposed the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza strip and called for a peace settlement with the Palestine Liberation Organization as far back as 1973. Ratz advocated secularism, the separation of religion and state, and civil rights, most notably women rights, a topic that was very close to Aloni. Ratz was a notable fighter against corruption and for a written constitution, and Aloni was the initiator of the Knesset sub-committee for basic laws (Israel's equivalent of a constitution). For a while it also supported electoral reform.

For a short period in 1975-1976 Ratz was named Yaad (together with Arie Lova Eliav). Between 1981-1984 it was a part of the Labour party, but disengaged before the elections. In 1984 Shelli joined Ratz in a 1 to 3 ratio, in particular Ran Cohen who is today a member of the Knesset for Yachad. Prior to the 1992 elections the party formed the Meretz electoral coalition with Mapam and Shinui, hoping to win over some of the Labour party's electorate (the party was then considered to be in decline). However, Meretz received slightly fewer MKs in the 1992 elections than its constituents had in the previous Knesset. In 1996 Yossi Sarid defeated Aloni in Meretz's internal elections, and Aloni consequently retired from political life. This was construed by many as the "true" end of Ratz. Finally, in 1997, Ratz ceased to exist when it, Mapam and parts of Shinui formally merged to make Meretz an official political party.