MK (National Union) Prof. Aryeh Eldad on Tuesday defended his statement, insisting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert may be guilty of violating section 97b of the penal code by signaling a willingness to give away the Golan Heights.

The penal code referred to by Eldad relates to treason, stating one found guilty of giving away portions of land may face the death penalty.

Eldad during an interview on the Kol Dibburim radio show stated that he may be guilty of poor timing or tactics, and this criticism he is willing to take to heart, but he is unwilling to retract his statement and he is not intimidated by shouts that he is setting the stage for another political assassination.

When asked about the Supreme Court ruling during Yitzchak Rabin’s tenure as prime minister, when opponents to relinquishing control of the Golan Heights turned to the High Court to prohibit Rabin’s contacts with the Syrians, he held his ground. At that time, the petitioners to the high court stated section 97b of the penal code was applicable too, but the court ruled it is obvious the law does not refer to a sovereign government.

Eldad, admitting he is not an attorney, takes issue with this interpretation, explaining a regular citizen may not give away portions of the land. Only a government official, perhaps a prime minister has this authority he explained, so therefore, the law must be speaking of a prime minister.

This is why he has turned to the attorney general to issue a legal decision as to the penal law and Olmert’s actions under paragraph 97b.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)