Former Knesset member Aryeh Eldad says former prime minister Ehud Olmert was aware of the allegations of sexual impropriety against former minister Rehavam Ze’evi in 2004, but went along with a law — approved in 2005 — to enshrine annual national commemorations of the slain ex-IDF general.
Earlier this month, the “Uvda” investigative TV show reported rape allegations against the former cabinet minister.
Eldad, formerly of the National Union (as was Ze’evi), says he spoke to one of the woman interviewed by the show, asking her why she didn’t step forward over a decade ago when the Knesset was set to pass the commemoration law. She responded that she took the issue directly to Olmert, who decided to proceed regardless, he says.
Asked whether the law should be canceled now, in light of the allegations, Eldad says no, but urges some “symbolic” or “cosmetic” change to the legislation.
MK Arieh Eldad seen here in June, 2009, left the National Union party in November 2012 to form his own party. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
Help us report truthfully on social media
As a multimedia journalist, my job is to take the quality, fact-based journalism produced by The Times of Israel newsroom and make it accessible across every platform — from Instagram posts to podcasts to short-form videos.
This is how many, especially young people, consume news these days. But misinformation is rampant on social media. Our team at ToI produces accurate, responsible short-form reporting on Israel and the Jewish world.
If you believe in the importance of factual social media journalism, please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. Your financial support is essential to sustain responsible multimedia reporting.
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you, David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
From the Liveblog of
Monday, April 25, 2016
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
