19 Facts About Haim Ramon

Haim Ramon is an Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset between 1983 and 2009, and as both Vice Prime Minister and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office with responsibility for state policy.

Haim Ramon joined the Labor Party as soon as he left the military, and was secretary of its youth wing from 1978 until 1989.

Haim Ramon entered the Knesset in May 1983, replacing Daniel Rosolio, and, except for a period between January 2006 and the March 2006 elections, remained a member until 2009.

Haim Ramon has been a member of various committees, and chaired the finance committee from 1988 to 1992.

Haim Ramon was appointed Minister of Health in the government of Yitzhak Rabin in 1992 where his major achievement was the promotion of the new National Health Insurance Law.

However, Haim Ramon kept advocating for the law even after his resignation and it was finally passed by the Knesset in the summer of 1994.

Haim Ramon proceeded to privatize most of the Histadrut-owned companies.

Haim Ramon returned to government after Rabin's assassination, serving as Minister of Internal Affairs under Shimon Peres from 1995 to 1996, when Labor lost power.

When Labor returned to power in 1999 under Ehud Barak, Haim Ramon was appointed Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, overseeing government reform and relations between the government and Knesset.

Haim Ramon became Minister of Internal Affairs for a second time in 2000, serving until Barak's government fell in 2001.

Haim Ramon opposed Barak's proposals to enter a coalition under Ariel Sharon, and did not participate in the coalition formed in March 2002 by Sharon and Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, Barak's successor as Labor leader.

Haim Ramon ran for the leadership of the Labor Party in November 2002, losing to Amram Mitzna.

In January 2005, the Labor Party entered the government of Ariel Sharon and Haim Ramon became Minister without Portfolio responsible for Jerusalem Affairs, departing in November 2005 with the other Labor ministers.

Haim Ramon was the first Labor politician to join Kadima, while others only followed later, including former President of Israel, Shimon Peres and Dalia Itzik, who joined Kadima after several days.

Haim Ramon returned to prime minister Ehud Olmert's government in July 2007, as vice premier and minister in the Prime Minister's Office with responsibility for state policy and special missions in the name of prime minister Olmert.

On 30 June 2009, Haim Ramon announced his resignation from the Knesset.

Haim Ramon declared that he intends to become a private businessman, but will remain the chairman of the Kadima Council, the party's most important body.

Haim Ramon is married to Vered Haim Ramon Rivlin, editor-in-chief of the monthly Lady Globes.

Haim Ramon was the chairman and co-owner of the soccer club Hapoel Tel Aviv.