Meretz (Hebrew: מֶרֶצ‎, lit. Vigour) is a left-wing, social-democratic and Zionist political party in Israel.The party was originally formed in 1992 with the union of Ratz, Mapam, and Shinui and was at its peak in the 13th Knesset between 1992 and 1996, during which it held 12 seats.