Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz will not be able to be an MK of the upcoming 16th Knesset. His candidacy was disqualified today by Elections Committee Chairman Justice Michael Cheshin, on the grounds that the six-month "cooling off" period between his army service and entry into politics will not have passed before the election. Cheshin rejected Mofaz's request that the six-month period be counted beginning from the day he retired as Chief of Staff. Likud sources that Mofaz will continue to serve as Defense Minister in any event.
Mofaz is the second Likud candidate to be disqualified in as many days. Moshe Feiglin was removed from the list yesterday, when Hon. Cheshin found that his conviction on "sedition" charges relating to his anti-Oslo activities five years ago is a crime that carries a mark of "disgrace." Such a definition renders Feiglin ineligible to run for Knesset until seven years have passed.
Feiglin responded today that his actions "to prevent the blood-filled process of Oslo" should be looked upon with honor by Israeli society, and not as a disgrace." The ruling to disqualify him, on the other hand, "was a political ruling, a disgraceful one, and in accordance with Justice Cheshin's personal views. In this vast sea of corruption and deals in politics, Justice Cheshin found disgrace in Jewish Leadership [the Likud faction headed by Feiglin] and me, for standing up for what we believe in and being willing to sacrifice everything, at whatever personal cost." He said that he would continue to be active in the Likud, to "help strengthen the moral and ideological values in the Likud and in the national camp."
Mofaz is the second Likud candidate to be disqualified in as many days. Moshe Feiglin was removed from the list yesterday, when Hon. Cheshin found that his conviction on "sedition" charges relating to his anti-Oslo activities five years ago is a crime that carries a mark of "disgrace." Such a definition renders Feiglin ineligible to run for Knesset until seven years have passed.
Feiglin responded today that his actions "to prevent the blood-filled process of Oslo" should be looked upon with honor by Israeli society, and not as a disgrace." The ruling to disqualify him, on the other hand, "was a political ruling, a disgraceful one, and in accordance with Justice Cheshin's personal views. In this vast sea of corruption and deals in politics, Justice Cheshin found disgrace in Jewish Leadership [the Likud faction headed by Feiglin] and me, for standing up for what we believe in and being willing to sacrifice everything, at whatever personal cost." He said that he would continue to be active in the Likud, to "help strengthen the moral and ideological values in the Likud and in the national camp."