Meretz Party leader Chaim Oron on Monday stated that he hopes his party will be in a position to demand the education portfolio following the general elections. The last Meretz MK to hold the post of education minister was Yossi Sarid, in the 15th Knesset. Sarid has since retired from politics.

In another Meretz matter, on Monday the Knesset bid farewell to veteran legislator Dr. Yossi Sarid, who retires from politics as a member of Meretz. The special session was held in the presence of President Shimon Peres, with lawmakers acknowledging his contribution as a MK, minister, deputy minister and other legislative capacities.

Beilin’s views over the years have been at the forefront of concessions to Arabs on land and other issues, an architect of the Geneva Plan as well as a staunch supporter of the Oslo and other agreements demanding Israel forfeit “land for peace”.

On another educational note, last week Shas announced it will also be seeking the education portfolio in the next government, prompting a response from Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu, that if he is the next prime minister, he will keep the education portfolio for his party and it will not be put on the coalition negotiating table.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)