A few days before the end of Avichai Mandelblit’s term as Attorney General, MK Yaakov Litzman signed a plea deal today (Thursday) in the cases in which he was involved. Under the settlement, the former health minister will plead guilty to breach of trust in the Malka Leifer affair and the deli affair will be deleted from the indictment. In addition, Litzman will be given a suspended sentence and a symbolic fine of NIS 3,000. As part of the agreement signed, Litzman will resign from the Knesset.
The political system was quick to respond to the move, which would end Litzman’s long tenure in the Knesset. The Minister of Transportation, Merav Michaeli, stated: “Litzman’s breach of trust in the Malka Leifer affair is a breach of trust towards anyone who has ever been harmed or sexually assaulted. It is a breach of trust in the system, in the state, in elected officials.” “From law enforcement. The lines are slowly being cleared of corruption.”
Michaeli Photo: Olivier Fitoussi / Flash90
A member of her party, chairman of the Law, Constitution and Justice Committee, MK Gilad Karib, also commented on the affair, arguing that the deal must also include disgrace. “A minister who exploits his position to prevent the extradition of a suspect in sexual offenses against minors is violating trust not only in the state but in every boy and girl who needs protection from those who seek to stifle their cry. For this important legal and value concept. “
Following the announcement of the plea deal, Litzman, on behalf of his lawyers, Jacques Chen, Dror Arad Ayalon and Noa Firer, stated that the Attorney General had indeed accepted most of his claims. “At the end of the day, MK Litzman agreed to take responsibility for one unusual incident to his normal course of action, and to thank him as part of an arrangement that will be presented to the court. This is a case in which MK Litzman acted in response to a public request he received, without knowing the applicant, and without any affinity or personal motives. It should be emphasized that throughout his years of public activity, MK Litzman acted for all publics and populations Discrimination and in accordance with the law. ”
The chairman of Torah Judaism, MK Moshe Gafni, recently spoke with the chairman of the faction in the Knesset, MK Yaakov Litzman, and strengthened his hands following the plea agreement signed with him. The two agreed to meet earlier this week and discuss current faction issues.