15 Facts About Haim Oron

Haim "Jumes" Oron is an Israeli politician and former Minister of Agriculture.

Haim Oron was head of the political party Meretz, for whom he served as a member of the Knesset.

Haim Oron's parents emigrated from Poland before World War II.

Haim Oron's father was a textile worker and his mother a housewife.

Haim Oron served in the Israel Defense Forces with the airborne Nahal unit.

Haim Oron was a member of the kibbutz committee and served as executive secretary.

Haim Oron had five children - Irit, Uri, Yaniv, Assaf and Oded.

In 1999, Haim Oron was appointed Minister of Agriculture in Ehud Barak's government.

Haim Oron headed the party's list in the 2009 elections on 10 February, but saw the party reduced to just three seats.

The next day, Haim Oron said he decided not to resign, saying: "For me, responsibility means working toward the rehabilitation of Meretz".

In early 2011 Haim Oron announced he would quit Knesset within few months, before formally resigning his seat on 23 March.

Haim Oron has embarked on several projects to improve the welfare of the Bedouin population of the Negev, among them the establishment of a wastewater purification plant, a health clinic and nursery schools.

Haim Oron is known for his ties with Marwan Barghouti, now serving five life terms in an Israeli jail for terrorist activities.

Haim Oron was one of the initiators of the Geneva Accord, together with Yossi Beilin.

Haim Oron is the Laureate of the 2005 "Quality in Government Award".