Meretz in Israel

Right-wing activist pours boiling water on Meretz MKs in Hebron

editor — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:44:04 +0000

June 17, 2008

A right-wing activist on Tuesday poured boiling water on MKs belonging to the left-wing Meretz party during a tour of the West Bank city of Hebron.

The incident occurred while Hebron setters clashed with the MKs and other members of a tour led by "Breaking The Silence," an organization of demobilized Israel Defense Forces soldiers who document alleged harassment of Palestinians in the territories.

Meretz Chair Applauds Reported Gaza Cease Fire

editor — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:08:46 +0000

Meretz chairman, MK Chaim Oron: I hope the reports regarding a ceasefire are true; this is the right solution to bring quiet to the communities around Gaza.

June 17, 2008: Meretz chairman, MK Chaim Oron, expressed the hope that the reports of an agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip are true. Oron stated: “In the current reality, this is the right solution for brining quiet to the communities situated in the vicinity of Gaza. The Israeli government, as well as the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, must make every effort to maintain the ceasefire. Alongside this step, the negotiations with [Palestinian President] Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) and [chief Palestinian negotiator] Abu Ala (Ahmad Qurei)must be accelerated.”

Meretz USA congratulates Meretz MK Chaim Oron on his election as party leader

editor — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:06:43 +0000

Read Meretz USA's letter congratulating MK Oron.
Read more information on MK Oron's election.
Read an excerpt from MK Oron's victory speech.
Find out more about MK Oron's background.

Meretz supports Palestinian olive harvest

editor — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:22:55 +0000

On Wednesday, October 22, the Young Meretz and Meretz Students divisions of the Meretz party sent volunteers to the West Bank to help with the Palestinian olive harvest.

Meretz party speaks out on the violence in Acre

editor — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:13:45 +0000

Violence erupted on Wednesday night, erev Yom Kippur, between Jewish and Arab residents of Israel's mixed northern city of Acre (Akko). (For the latest news, click here.) Meretz chair Haim Oron, and MKs Yossi Beilin and Zehava Galon have spoken out on the situation:

Meretz against settler violence

editor — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:48:48 +0000

Yossi Beilin: Following the attack on the Palestinian village, Assira al-Kabaliya, by members of the West Bank Yitzhar settlement, Meretz MK Yossi Beilin stated that the Defense Minister must act immediately, determinedly and decisively to stamp out the growing wave of settler violence. Beilin said: "The police must investigate, vigorously and without cutting anyone slack, those behind the incident so that they can be put under lock and key." Beilin argued that the danger caused to Israeli society by the settler militias is just as grave as that caused by organized crime.

Zehava Galon: Meretz MK Zehava Galon has called on the Defense Minister to take forceful action against the violent Yitzhar settlers. These settlers, she said, attack Palestinians as if there were no constraints on them whatsoever. Galon stated: "It is unconscionable that the army should stand to the side. The time has come to stop the policy of weakness vis-à-vis the settlers."

Meretz MK Yossi Beilin convenes emergency meeting of peace organizations & human rights groups on worsening situation in Hebron

editor — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:12:56 +0000

In response to IDF and Israel Police policy banning entry to the city of Hebron and the Southern Hebron Hills region, representatives of Israel’s peace organizations and of human rights groups active in the territories assembled for an emergency consultation on Tuesday, August 5.

In addition to the Meretz party, the organizations represented at the discussion included: Peace Now, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, Breaking the Silence, B’Tselem, Rabbis for Human Rights, Bnei Avraham, Machsom Watch, Ta’ayush and Yesh Din.

Meretz MK Abu Vilan: Release Marwan Barghouti to Palestinian Authority

meretzusa — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:48:54 +0000

On Thursday July 10th, Meretz USA hosted Meretz party MK Avshalom (“Abu”) Vilan at Beit Shalom in New York City. The briefing was also attended via conference call by participants from across North America. Over the past years, MK Vilan has been a keystone for bringing first-hand, up-to-date information about the internal and external current affairs of Israel and its government.

It Can’t Go On This Way

editor — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:02:32 +0000

Op-ed by Yossi Beilin, chairman of Meretz-Yahad

The Israeli government is responsible for what is occurring in the western Negev. Sderot and many other communities in the area are under the daily threat of Qassam rockets, and the only answer being offered for this problem are solidarity visits by VIPs who get their pictures taken and leave: This situation cannot go on.

Meretz Party Against Gaza Siege

editor — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:15:42 +0000

Read the op-ed by Meretz Chairman Yossi Beilin
Read the op-ed by Meretz MK Chaim Oron, published in Ynet
Read the statement from Meretz Chairman Yossi Beilin
Read Meretz MK Zehava Galon's statement