Meretz in Israel

• * 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.

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.

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

January 21, 2008

The chairman of Meretz, MK Yossi Beilin, has stated that, "the humanitarian crisis and the blackout in Gaza play into Hamas' hands. This is an inhumane, un-Jewish and ineffective act, which is liable to save the Hamas politically, after Hamas lost support on the streets of Gaza over the last few months." According to Beilin, "instead of taking responsibility for the residents of the western Negev through a cease-fire that would also bring back Gilad Shalit, the government is choosing the worst option of all."

January 26, 2008

Meretz MK Zehava Gal-on has called upon the Prime Minister to order the lifting of the Gaza siege. "The decision to darken Gaza shows that the Prime Minister hasn't learned a thing and is engaging in the same rash method of making decisions involving collective punishment, which not only does not prevent the firing of Qassam rockets, but makes the problem worse. This fact is decisive proof that the Prime Minister hasn't kicked his habit, and is continuing to make decisions that cause more harm than good."

Op-ed by Meretz MK Chaim Oron, published on Ynet

"... We must face the truth: The cruel move led by the defense minister in Gaza is first and foremost a response to our desire for revenge and the feeling we must 'hit them hard,' but it is not a response to the danger threatening Israeli lives..."

Read the full article.

On December 16th, Meretz-Yachad Chairman Yossi Beilin announced that he would not be running for reelection as the party's head, officially endorsing MK Chaim Oron for the post.

A Moment of Truth

Published in bitterlemons.org

"It was a mistake to arrive in Annapolis without agreement on at least one of the core issues: borders, Jerusalem and refugees..."

Read the article.

Needed: a Cease-Fire With Hamas, Now

By Yossi Beilin in the Washington Post

"Hamas's victory in the Palestinian parliamentary elections in January 2006 and its violent takeover of the Gaza Strip in June were very bad news for those who believe in Israeli-Palestinian peace. But as Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization prepare to launch formal negotiations on final status -- for the first time in seven years -- Israel should seek to reach a cease-fire with Hamas as soon as possible..."

Read entire article.

10/15/2007

Published in Ynet

Two weeks ago a young journalist, Daniel Ofir, reported a story on "Hot News" that ought to have created quite a storm: The Palestinian Authority is paving a highway inside Israel's sovereign territory in "united" Jerusalem, our eternal capital.

Read more in Ynet.

9/11/2007 

"Haaretz learned yesterday that the Prime Minister's Bureau requested a copy of a 1995 paper formulated during secret meetings between Yossi Beilin and Mahmoud Abbas. The document addressed a possible framework for permanent settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

Read the Haaretz Article.