Aloni, Shulamit (1929–)

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ALONI, SHULAMIT (1929–)

Israeli politician and social activist. Born in Tel Aviv, Aloni served in the 1948 Arab-Israel War and later studied law at Hebrew University. During the 1950s and 1960s she became known as an advocate for civil and human rights and for the separation of religion from politics, writing a weekly column and hosting a popular radio program. Aloni was elected to the Knesset in 1965 and served on various committees before being dropped from the Labor ticket in 1969. She established the Civil Rights movement in 1973 and was reelected to the Knesset, serving until 1999. Yitzhak Rabin appointed her minister of education in 1992, after her party joined with Shinui and MAPAM to form the Meretz Party. Still known as an activist for peace and civil rights, she was awarded the Israel Prize for lifetime achievement in 2000.

SEE ALSO MAPAM;Shinui Party.

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