Meretz activist Ori Ophir of Kibbutz Metzer joined the Meretz leadership race ahead of Wednesday's deadline to enter the contest, joining MKs Ilan Gilon and Zehava Gal-On.
Ophir, 33, who heads a group of young activists in the party, runs the United Kibbutz Movement's youth department. He also helped organize protests on socioeconomic issues and in favor of bringing about the release of Gilad Schalit."I decided to run because Meretz is important to me and I want it to be relevant, even though it's a difficult challenge," Ophir said. "I am not doing this as a gimmick for a month or two. We want to get involved and start building the party as the political home for young people."
