A left-wing Zionist political party formed on31 March 2004 out of the shell of a Meretz/Democratic Israel faction that took only six seats in the 2003 Knesset election (down from 10). It was headed by former Labor member of the Knesset and justice minister Joseph (Yossi) Beilin. The party secured only 5 seats in the 2006 Knesset election. In December 2007, Beilin announced that he would not contest reelection as party leader.
Historical Dictionary of Israel. Bernard Reich David H. Goldberg. Edited by Jon Woronoff..