The Education Committee approved Thursday in second and third readings a bill to memorialize Golda Meir through the establishment of a memorial corporation that will include a memorial site, archive, and museum. The legislation also stipulates that a woman must head the corporation for its first two terms.
1+Under the proposal, a memorial site will be established in central Israel featuring an exhibition and displays commemorating Meir’s memory, work, and legacy. The site will include a museum presenting her life story, her struggle to establish the state, and her role in shaping it and its major historical events.
Additionally, the 8th of Kislev, the day of Meir’s death, will be designated as “Golda Meir Day,” with memorial ceremonies and educational activities held in schools and IDF bases to teach her legacy.
1+Committee Chairman MK Zvi Sukkot said after the vote: “This corrects a historical injustice. We’re talking about the only female prime minister we’ve had, and she deserves commemoration like the others. I wish for my daughter to be prime minister one day.”
The bill’s sponsors, MKs Merav Michaeli and Pnina Tamano-Shata, also addressed the fact that until now Golda Meir has not received proper commemoration as male prime ministers have. “While until now only men have been commemorated through legislation, the time has come to do justice,” Tamano-Shata said.