In light of the ongoing police investigation against her and the likely criminal indictment to follow, Deputy Minister of the Interior (Yisrael Beitenu) Fania Kirschenbaum has announced she will not be seeking a position in the 20th Knesset. She added “The media has already tried and convicted me”. Kirschenbaum is however going to completer her term in the current 19th Knesset, announcing she is not stepping down ahead of elections.

It is reported that she is maintaining her silence, not cooperating with police investigators in the high-level government corruption case.

Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) reported on Monday morning 21 Teves that she is retiring from politics to permit herself to remain silent rather than cooperating with investigators, for silence would not be viewed as acceptable from an elected official.

Kirschenbaum had harsh words for Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein, who leaked a letter sent to her instructing her to refrain from reporting to the ministry during the investigation. She blames the attorney general and the media for convicting her before she has even been charged with a crime, stressing she respects the laws of nation.

Party leader Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Channel 2 News website that he understands exactly what she is going through since he was the subject of police investigations for many years, almost 20. He expressed regret over Kirschenbaum’s decision to leave, announcing “I accept your resignation with a heavy heart”.

“I hope you will return to Yisrael Beitenu soon after proving your good name was dragged through the mud publically in vain and you are not guilty”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)