34 Facts About Shelly Yachimovich

Shelly Rachel Yachimovich is an Israeli politician, who served three terms as the official Leader of the Opposition, a member of the Knesset, and a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Shelly Yachimovich served as leader of the Israeli Labor Party between 2011 and 2013.

Shelly Yachimovich's father, Moshe, was a construction worker and her mother, Hanna, a teacher.

Shelly Yachimovich became politically engaged at an early age, and was expelled from Ostrovsky high school in Ra'anana at age 15 for hanging up posters denouncing the principal's style of leadership.

Shelly Yachimovich was conscripted in 1978, and in 1985, Yachimovich graduated from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev with a degree in behavioural science.

Shelly Yachimovich went on to become an anchor for the Israel Broadcasting Authority's radio station Reshet Bet, earning a reputation as opinionated and critical of conventional wisdom and the establishment.

Shelly Yachimovich did a weekly program for Israel Army Radio.

Four Mothers' group leaders later noted that Menashe's and Shelly Yachimovich's support was crucial in promoting their goal.

Shelly Yachimovich entered the discussion by airing a critical review of Shari Arison's conduct, on her editorial segment in Channel 2 news.

Shelly Yachimovich warned that the threats of a lawsuit provided an example of how the rich and successful are able to arrange things to their liking, in this case by firing such a large number of employees and then silencing public criticism of the move.

The next day, Arison's consultant Rani Rahav published an assertive open letter attacking Shelly Yachimovich, faxing it to 500 of Israel's top CEO's and media personalities.

On 29 November 2005, two weeks after Amir Peretz was interviewed by Shelly Yachimovich on "Meet the Press" for the occasion of his election as leader of the Labor Party, Shelly Yachimovich announced she was leaving journalism and entering politics.

Shelly Yachimovich ran in the Labor primaries and achieved the ninth place on the party's list for the 2006 elections, in which she was elected to the Knesset.

Shelly Yachimovich was criticized on her sharp move from journalism to politics.

Shelly Yachimovich later claimed on her behalf that she didn't have the slightest idea of joining politics on her mind during that interview.

Shelly Yachimovich declared that she opposes any cooling-off periods on joining politics, arguing that these should instead be imposed on parliamentarians and civil servants who upon leaving the public sphere immediately join high-profile positions in the private sector, exploiting their influence to make private profits.

Shelly Yachimovich was quickly growing critical of Labor's role in the government, as she believed the party was not executing its social-democratic mandate.

Shelly Yachimovich became frustrated of then party leader Peretz, citing his choice to become Minister of Defense over an economically related minister, as a choice that created a personal, ideological and political drift between them.

Shelly Yachimovich consequently started to divert from voting along party lines and opposed the 2006 State Budget bill.

Shelly Yachimovich received The Knight of Quality Government award from the Movement for Quality Government in Israel in 2008.

In 2009, Shelly Yachimovich leaked an undisclosed version of the forthcoming State Budget bill's Arrangements Act, the traditional addendum to the yearly budget, on her website and invited ordinary citizens to provide comments on its contents.

Shelly Yachimovich released a detailed criticism of many of the State Budget's proposals, mainly in regard to proposed cutbacks to governmental services.

Shelly Yachimovich legislated and participated in legislating 17 laws during term.

Shelly Yachimovich retained her seat in the 2009 elections, in fifth place on the Labor list.

Shelly Yachimovich refused the offer despite admitting it was a post she was aiming at, and continued opposing Labor's part in the government, up until early 2011 when Barak diverted from the party and the remaining MK's agreed on leaving the government.

Shelly Yachimovich has been described as a staunch social-democrat, highly critical and belligerent, who does not hesitate to take on fat cats and the lobbyists who represent them.

Shelly Yachimovich has been described as using unorthodox politics, with critics noting she managed to aggravate both economic right and dovish left with her stances.

On 3 March 2011 Shelly Yachimovich declared her candidacy for party leadership and sought to sign up new members for the party.

Shelly Yachimovich stated that she does "not see the settlement project as a sin and a crime", since it was originally based on a widespread consensus that included the Labor Party.

Shelly Yachimovich concluded that Labor should first and foremost represent a social-democratic agenda, ahead of a Dovish agenda, and maintained that poverty, ignorance and broad social disparities should be tackled first since they tend to formulate a common ethos towards war.

Shelly Yachimovich held this post for 70 days, until Kadima left the government and became the largest opposition party .

Shelly Yachimovich legislated and participated in legislating 28 laws during term.

Shelly Yachimovich published her apartment's worth, her mortgage loan worth and previous income figures, in order to promote increased transparency of elected officials' interests.

Shelly Yachimovich helps, and then like an ingrate, I return to my secularism.