Conclusion

Abstract

What does this examination of Labour’s and the other parties’ changing position on Israel say about the general question of policy change and internal democracy? Bearing in mind the limitations of a single case study approach that relies primarily on the use of documentary sources, the study does shed some light on this process. As I showed at the start of the book, there are two key ways of understanding party policy change: the first emphasises the importance of parties adapting to their external environment, and the second stresses that parties may act independently and internal party changes are the main impetus. I suggest here that the two processes of change are continuously at work and interact closely to bring about a policy shift.