Miki Eitan. Photo: Wikipedia.
On 8 November 2024, Miki Eitan, a former minister, Knesset member and legendary figure in Israeli politics, died in Kohav Yair. He was 80 years old. In the last years of his life, he suffered from Parkinson’s disease. Eitan is remembered by many as a determined politician, an active fighter for national liberal ideas, and the most prominent representative of the Likud. He leaves behind a large family – his wife and three children. This was reported by TimeUkraineIsrael.
Mickey Eitan served as a member of the Knesset for 28 years, beginning in 1984, and became one of the most prominent figures in the country’s political life. In 1997, he became the first head of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and his fight for the development of settlements in the West Bank and Judea and Samaria was one of the main features of his political activity. It was also Eitan who initiated the creation and headed the Lobby for Eretz Yisrael, which promoted the development of settlements in these territories.
Records and unforgettable moments of political career
Miki Eitan is best known for his record for the longest speech in the Knesset. In 1993, he spoke on the parliamentary floor for 10 hours and 7 minutes, making claims about the state budget. This speech went down in history as a symbol of his unwavering determination and dedication to the cause that was above all else.
A peculiar view of politics: principles and changes in the Likud
In 2013, Eitan decided to leave politics, and in 2019, he made a sharp announcement that he would no longer vote for the Likud in the elections. He believed that the party under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu was moving away from the national liberal values for which he had fought throughout his political career.
“The Netanyahu-era Likud no longer represents the national liberal values that I grew up with and worked for all my life. The great and humble Jabotinsky and Begin have been replaced by a thirst for power and money,” he said.
Farewell to a great politician
The loss of Mickey Eitan is a great blow to Israeli politics and all those who believed in his ideas. His work will forever remain in the history of the state of Israel. The time and place of the burial will be announced later.
