Public events for Miriam Oppenheimer, Labour.

[miriam]

*Speaking at the University of Haifa, Miriam criticises the policy towards the Palestinians*

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am most grateful for you all coming here tonight. 

Israel today has  a government that seeks to propagate continual war in our much troubled region.  The government of Prime Minister Meir has presented to the Knesset a Bill that I, and the Labour Party, believe will only foster resentment and hatred.

They believe that "Removal of Financial Aid Due to Palestinian Terror" Bill that they have presented to Parliament will punish those terrorists who attack our home. I am here to tell you now that that Bill will simply achieve the opposite.  It will show the world.......that the Israelis' are willing to punish and starve the Palestinians in an attempt to break the terrorist organisations that attack us.  The Terrorist Organisations that illegitimately and with no justification, link their outrageous intentions to a population that only seeks prosperity and peace.

The current government is not interested in solutions.  They are only interested in grandstanding and sabre rattling.  We in Labour oppose this policy.

We believe we should starve the terrorist organisations of their support.

We believe we should not alienate the Palestinian population or the International Community, which introducing such vindictive and draconian measures will do.

We believe that this government is short sighted and ignorant of what really is need to bring a peaceful resolution to our region."

[miriam]

Speaking outside the Knesset.

"Ladies and Gentlemen.....what can I say.  I am overwhelmed and so humbled to be elected Leader of the Labour Party. 

I follow in great shoes.  As a young intern I worked in the offices of the greatest Prime Minister this nation ever had, Golda Meir.  She inspired and showed me that a woman in the State of Israel could and should aspire to the greatest office. She truly deserved the title of Prime Minister and it is she that I wish to emulate as leader of Labour.

These are difficult times for Israel.  We have a government who believes they can ride over the democracy we have embraced since 1948.  The........Prime Minister......believes that he can ignore the fact  that he does not have a working majority and bully the Knesset into accepting his draconian policies.

As leader of the Labour Party, I will oppose him.

As Leader of the Labour Party, I will present Israel with a viable alternative to this belligerent government.

As Leader of the Labour Party I will work with any party that will support any policy that benefits Israel and the peace process.  But don't get me wrong.......I will work with any party that works against Bills that I believe will drag Israel into a dark age of terrorism and attack.

It gives me great pleasure to announce my Shadow Cabinet. 

Minister for Foreign Affairs: Miriam Oppenheimer
Minister for National Defense: Isaac Herzog
Minister for the Interior: Eitan Cabel
Minister for Finance: Shelly Yachimovich 

The Labour Party are prepared and working to present Israel with a government that doesn't provoke terrorist attacks, but punishes the guilty when necessary. That doesn't inflict harm on  the innocent for the atrocious actions of the few.  That invests in Israel to promote jobs and development.  That will work to build international support for Israel so that investment flows in. 

We will present Israel with a positive alternative.  Thank you."