Gal-On receives support of Sarid, Aloni and Shem-Tov

By SHELLY PAZ
Meretz's former leaders and founders signed a statement supporting MK Zehava Gal-On for election to the No. 2 spot on the party's Knesset list, after party leader Haim Oron. Gal-On, who has been a Meretz MK for the past nine years, succeeded in getting the support of former party leaders Yossi Sarid and Shulamit Aloni, as well as long-time Mapam bigwig Victor Shem-Tov. "Zehava Gal-On is an outstanding lawmaker who has been leaving her mark on public life throughout the past nine years in her [efforts] for peace, in the fight for Israeli democracy and the rule of law, and defense of human rights," the signed letter read. "Gal-On has the temperament and the moral courage expected from public representatives; she challenges the ruling consensus and makes her voice heard where others keep silent." Earlier this week, Gal-On and fellow Meretz MK Avshalom Vilan received approval from the party's central committee to run for another Knesset term, as per party regulations regarding MKs who have been serving for more than eight years. Meretz's primary will take place on December 14.