Former defense minister Binyamin ‘Fuad’ Ben-Eliezer dies at 80

Former defense minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer passes away at the age of 80, according to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.

He was hospitalized last month after complications from a routine dialysis treatment.

A former Labor Party leader and presidential candidate, Ben-Eliezer has suffered from various health issues for a number of years, and in December 2014 underwent a kidney transplant. Several months later, he was hospitalized with a serious case of influenza, at which time he was hooked up to life support until his condition improved.

Ben-Eliezer, 80, who left the Knesset in 2014 after a 30-year career with Labor, was indicted in December by state prosecutors for allegedly demanding and receiving more than NIS 2 million (over $500,000) from businesspeople in exchange for actions he allegedly took as a public servant.

He was also accused of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of foreign currency that he kept hidden and unreported in safes in his home and a bank, apparently in violation of tax laws and transparency rules for Knesset members. The funds were purportedly used to buy real estate, including an apartment in Jaffa.

In May, state prosecutors offered Ben-Eliezer a plea bargain aimed at punishing the octogenarian without forcing him to serve time in prison.

In December 2014, the politician announced he would leave politics to focus on his health and clearing his name, ending a 30-year political career.

— with Times of Israel staff