Former minister Shulamit Aloni dies at the age of 85

A statement released by Meretz party reads that she "passed away Friday morning beside her family and lived to a ripe old age."

Aloni will be laid to rest on Sunday at the Kfar Shmaryahu Cemetery.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the son of Shulamit Aloni, Professor Nimrod Aloni, and expressed his sorrow at the death of his mother: "I send my condolences to the family. Despite the deep disagreements we had over the years, I appreciated her contribution to Israeli public and her determination to firmly stand for the things she believed in."

President Shimon Peres also eulogized Aloni: "She was a fighter for peace and civil rights, and she left a mark in the struggle for women, minorities and those weakened in the society. She was a bold democratic and social fighter. She had a rare combination of sharp intellect, power, individual opinion and social sensitivity."

Meretz Chairwoman Zahava Gal-On called Aloni the leader of Israel\’s fight for civil rights.

"Shulamit (Aloni) was a moral compass," she said. "She put civil rights in the Israeli know, and there is no doubt she symbolized the struggle for civil rights more than anyone."

Defense Minister Moshe Ya\’alon eulogized Aloni calling her inseparable from the Israeli public.

"Her contribution to the dialogue of democracy in Israel was extremely significant," he said. "Even though there were considerable disagreements in our views on a range of topics, I always valued her determination to fight for her values and to express them loud and clear."

Ya\’alon said talking with her always forced him to put himself up to the task.

"Arguing with her was a challenge," he said. "Her doctrine was always well-organized and her beliefs were sincere."

Former MK Avshalom Vilan (Meretz) commended Aloni for her fearlessness.

"She was a special breed, a brave woman who fought by herself against the entire system, and over the years she confronted the religious establishment for the rights of citizens and women."

MK Reuven Rivlin (Likud Beiteinu) called Aloni the last of the Mohicans.

"She was the last politician in her generation that said what she thought," he said. "She left her mark on Israel politically and culturally."

Rivlin said that he disagreed with her opinions but he valued her as someone that didn\’t chase after populist ideas.

"She expressed her beliefs and views without embellishment."

Peace Now said her death was heartbreaking to the leftist movements.

"The pillar of fire has been extinguished," a statement read "Aloni was always a step ahead of the camp. Her ethical world and her courage changed the face of the Left in Israel and the public in general.

"She fought without bias for the values and positions that she stood for."