In any democracy it is important that there is a serious, credible opposition. Just as many Conservatives genuinely rue the collapse of Labour as a serious party of government, so those who care about Israeli democracy should rue the fact that its Israeli sister party is also now light years away from power (albeit for very different reasons).

Whatever one’s view of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel needs a strong opposition. At the moment the coalition provides the main forum for both government and opposition. And yet many Labour MKs seem more interested in politicking than in renewing and reviving their party.

It is barely conceivable now that just a year ago the party appeared to be on the verge of winning power. But like the owner of a football team that can’t win, Labour looks likely to dump its latest manager — and replace him either with an already failed re-tread or an untried but supposedly magical saviour.

This is no way to run a party, and no way for Labour to rebuild the credibility that Israeli democracy needs it to have.