Shulamit Aloni

(1929 - )

Shulamit Aloni, teacher, lawyer and journalist, was born in Tel Aviv in 1929.

During the War of Independence, Aloni participated in the defense of Jerusalem and was taken captive by Jordanian forces in the Old City.

Over the years, Aloni worked as a teacher and as a columnist for several newspapers; published books on political and legal subjects; produced radio programs dealing with legislation and legal procedures (in the wake of one of these, the Office of the Ombudsman was established) and founded the Israel Consumers Council, which she chaired for four years.

Aloni joined Mapai in 1959 and served as a Labour Member of Knesset between 1965 and 1969.

In 1973 she formed the Civil Rights Movement, advocating electoral reform, separation of religion and state, and a Basic Law protecting human rights.

As CRM leader, Aloni was a Member of the Knesset continuously from 1974-1996, serving on the following committees: Constitution, Law and Justice; State Audit; Education and Culture; and Finance. She served briefly as Minister without Portfolio (June - October 1974).

In the 1992 elections, Meretz — the combined list of the CRM, Mapam (United Workers' Party) and Shinui (Center Party) — joined the coalition headed by the Labour Party.

From 1992-1996 she served as Minister of Communications and the Arts, Science and Technology.