Reichman, Uriel

(1942- )

   Israeli-born professor of law, human rights activist, and proponent of constitutional reform. He was educated in Israel and the United States, including receiving a J.S.D. from the University of Chicago. He was the founder and founding president of the Interdisciplinary Center at Herzliya, Israel's first private university. Formerly, he had been professor and dean of Tel Aviv University's School of Law. Reichman also served as chair of the Israeli Human Rights Committee, the Israel Bar Association, and Huka Le'Israel (Israel Constitution Committee). A founder of the Shinui Party in the 1970s, he was instrumental in helping to resuscitate the party in the 1990s under the leadership of prominent social critic and television personality Yosef (Tommy) Lapid.

   On 30 November 2005, Reichman announced his decision to end his long-standing relationship with Shinui and to align himself with and seek election to the 17th Knesset (2006) on the slate of Ariel Sharon's new Kadima Party. In his announcement, Reichman spoke specifically of the commitment made by Sharon to make him minister of education in a Kadima-led government. He was elected to the 17th Knesset on the Kadima list but announced his resignation from party politics on 24 April 2006, when it became apparent that he would not be given the education portfolio promised to him.

   See also Knesset elections; Political parties.