Naomi Blumenthal
Encyclopedia
Naomi Blumenthal is a former Israel
i politician, her career ended by a conviction for corruption in 2006.
during the Mandate era, Blumenthal served in a Nahal
brigade during her national service
. She gained a BA in Political Science and Criminology from Bar-Ilan University
and also graduated from the Beit Zvi School of Art in Ramat Gan.
Blumenthal was one of the founders of the Beersheba
theatre and chaired the Al-Sam anti-drug abuse association. She is also a former chairwoman of the Political Centre - Israel Women's Network, and was a member of the Israeli delegation to the United Nations Conference on the Status of Women
in 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1995.
In 1992 she was elected to the Knesset on Likud
's list. After retaining her seat in 1996 and 1999, she was appointed Deputy Minister of National Infrastructure by Ariel Sharon
in 2001. She served as chairwoman of the Worldwide Likud Movement between 2001 and 2002, and stepped down from the cabinet
in January 2003.
Although re-elected in 2003, it later emerged that she had bribed 15 Likud activists and central committee members during the party primaries in December 2003 by hosting them in a hotel in Ramat Gan. The episode became known as the "Sheraton City Tower Affair".
Criticised by the judge for using her right to silence, she was sentenced to eight months in prison, a ten month suspended sentence and was fined NIS 75,000. She appealed against the verdict, but lost. However, in July 2007 President
Shimon Peres
commuted her sentence to community service, though she was not pardoned. The Movement for Quality Government
appealed Peres' decision, but their petition was rejected by the Knesset
.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i politician, her career ended by a conviction for corruption in 2006.
Biography
Born in BitzaronBitzaron
Bitzaron is a moshav in the South District of Israel and part of the Be'er Tuvia Regional Council. It is located on local road 3811, between Gan Yavne and Bnei Ayish. The moshav's population is approximately 1,000, and its area is about 5,000 dunams ....
during the Mandate era, Blumenthal served in a Nahal
Nahal
Nahal is an Israel Defense Forces infantry brigade. Historically, it refers to a program that combines military service and establishment of new agricultural settlements, often in outlying areas...
brigade during her national service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
. She gained a BA in Political Science and Criminology from Bar-Ilan University
Bar-Ilan University
Bar-Ilan University is a university in Ramat Gan of the Tel Aviv District, Israel.Established in 1955, Bar Ilan is now Israel's second-largest academic institution. It has nearly 26,800 students and 1,350 faculty members...
and also graduated from the Beit Zvi School of Art in Ramat Gan.
Blumenthal was one of the founders of the Beersheba
Beersheba
Beersheba is the largest city in the Negev desert of southern Israel. Often referred to as the "Capital of the Negev", it is the seventh-largest city in Israel with a population of 194,300....
theatre and chaired the Al-Sam anti-drug abuse association. She is also a former chairwoman of the Political Centre - Israel Women's Network, and was a member of the Israeli delegation to the United Nations Conference on the Status of Women
World Conference on Women
The World Conference on Women was established in 1975 during the International Women's Year.The most recent conference was the Fourth World Conference on Women....
in 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1995.
In 1992 she was elected to the Knesset on Likud
Likud
Likud is the major center-right political party in Israel. It was founded in 1973 by Menachem Begin in an alliance with several right-wing and liberal parties. Likud's victory in the 1977 elections was a major turning point in the country's political history, marking the first time the left had...
's list. After retaining her seat in 1996 and 1999, she was appointed Deputy Minister of National Infrastructure by Ariel Sharon
Ariel Sharon
Ariel Sharon is an Israeli statesman and retired general, who served as Israel’s 11th Prime Minister. He has been in a permanent vegetative state since suffering a stroke on 4 January 2006....
in 2001. She served as chairwoman of the Worldwide Likud Movement between 2001 and 2002, and stepped down from the cabinet
Cabinet of Israel
The Cabinet of Israel is a formal body composed of government officials called ministers, chosen and led by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister must appoint members based on the distribution of votes to political parties during legislative elections, and its composition must be approved by a...
in January 2003.
Although re-elected in 2003, it later emerged that she had bribed 15 Likud activists and central committee members during the party primaries in December 2003 by hosting them in a hotel in Ramat Gan. The episode became known as the "Sheraton City Tower Affair".
Criticised by the judge for using her right to silence, she was sentenced to eight months in prison, a ten month suspended sentence and was fined NIS 75,000. She appealed against the verdict, but lost. However, in July 2007 President
President of Israel
The President of the State of Israel is the head of state of Israel. The position is largely an apolitical ceremonial figurehead role, with the real executive power lying in the hands of the Prime Minister. The current president is Shimon Peres who took office on 15 July 2007...
Shimon Peres
Shimon Peres
GCMG is the ninth President of the State of Israel. Peres served twice as the eighth Prime Minister of Israel and once as Interim Prime Minister, and has been a member of 12 cabinets in a political career spanning over 66 years...
commuted her sentence to community service, though she was not pardoned. The Movement for Quality Government
Movement for Quality Government in Israel
The Movement for Quality Government in Israel is an Israeli non-profit organization numbering about 17,000 members. Formed as a protest movement on March 1990 during the coalitionary crisis, it is today the leading public petitioner to the Supreme Court of Israel.The organization is an influential...
appealed Peres' decision, but their petition was rejected by the Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
.