Veteran parliamentarian Ben-Eliezer leaves politics

After over three decades as a lawmaker, MK Binyamin Ben-Eliezer (Labor) announced on Thursday that he would leaving political life to focus on his health and clearing his name of corruption suspicions.

In a letter he sent from his hospital bed to Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, the former defense minister said health issues had forced him to quit politics.

“After serious doubts I decided to resign my membership in the Israeli Knesset,” Ben-Eliezer wrote. “As you know, recently I am dealing with health issues and among other things I am waiting for a kidney transplant. Dealing with health difficulties demands most of my time and strength, and to my regret doesn’t allow me to focus on parliamentary work.”

The resignation was to be effective immediately and not be delayed until after the coming general elections on March 17.

At the beginning of the month Ben-Eliezer, 78, was hospitalized at Assaf HaRofeh Medical Center for treatment after complaining that he wasn’t feeling well. His condition was described as good.

In the last 30 years Ben-Eliezer served in nine Knessets and in the last, the 19th Knesset, the Iraq-born lawmaker was the oldest member.

“I look back with a sense of pride and satisfaction and am grateful that I was given the privilege to serve the Israeli nation and take a part in the development of the State of Israel,” he wrote. “Today, at the age of 78, I am choosing to leave political life and dedicate most of my time to health treatments and to be with my family. However, even from outside the political framework I will continue to act as much as I am able on behalf of the State of Israel.”

Ben-Eliezer also noted that he intended to keep defending his reputation amid hints of financial wrongdoings. He was slated to contend for the presidency earlier in the year but was forced out of the race amid corruption allegations.

“In addition to my health struggle in the past months I am been running a determined campaign for my good name,” he explained. I have full faith in the legal authorities and justice of Israel and I am sure that in the end my name will be cleared and there no stain will be found on my actions. Throughout my public life I was careful to keep my hands clean, for integrity and transparency. I will continue to fight for my name, my honor and for the truth.

Channel 2 reported that Edelstein spoke with Ben-Eliezer after receiving the resignation.

“You contributed much to Israel in the 60 years of your army service and public service,” Edelstein told him. “I greatly admire you and wish you well, and especially good health.”

Ben-Eliezer has been a fixture in Israeli politics for three decades, holding a number of ministries for the Labor Party since entering politics in the 1980s. The former brigadier general who led a number of counter-terror raids is also known to be a close personal friend of ousted former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.

He was hospitalized for six weeks in 2011 after nearly dying from flu complications.

In June, the veteran MK dropped his bid for Israel’s presidency three days before the election over allegations of financial impropriety.

Ben-Eliezer’s bid for the presidency took its final hit after police questioned him for nearly five hours, under caution, on suspicion that he illegally received millions of shekels from various sources, using some of the money to purchase his luxury apartment in Jaffa.

A month later, police placed a temporary lien on his home.

According to the report, the beachfront property was bought three years ago for NIS 9 million (a little over $2.5 million).

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.