Shulamit Aloni passed away on Friday, 14 Jan. 2014
It is difficult to conceive of the human rights movement in Israel without her. Through decades of parliamentary and public activity, her writing and activism, Shulamit Aloni paved the road which we walk to this day. She was among the prime architects of Israeli discourse on human and civil rights.
She taught us the importance of upholding the human rights of all people, be they in Israel or in the Occupied Territories. She taught us that human rights are not a prize for good behavior. Rather, human rights are inalienable and conferred on all people, with no exceptions, and the state is responsible for safeguarding these rights. Shulamit also taught us that the truth must always be told, even when disagreeable or unpopular. She was a model of fearlessness in speaking the truth, and we learned from her example of not shying away from exposing reality, no matter how unpleasant. Shulamit Aloni’s firm stance in the face of smears and vilification will continue to inspire us to do the same. We will carry on walking in her footsteps.