EITAN, RAPHAEL

(formerly Kaminsky; Raful)

(1929-2004)

Born in Tel Adashim and educated atTel AvivandHaifa Universities, he pursued a military career, joining thePalmahat the age of 16 and ultimately serving as the 11th chief of staff of theIsrael Defense Forcesfrom 1978 to 1983. He was a war hero. TheKahan Commissionfound that he should have anticipated the danger posed by the Christians to thePalestiniansand opposed their admission to theSabra and Shatila refugee camps.

Eitan first joined theKnessetin 1984 on theTehiya-Tsometlist.In 1988, he and Tsomet ran as a separate electoral list, winning two Knesset seats. In June 1990, Tsomet joined theYitzhak Shamir-led coalition, with Eitan serving as minister ofagriculture. Initially expressing an interest in running for the direct election of theprime ministerin 1996, Eitan ultimately agreed to withdraw his candidacy and to have Tsomet enter into a joint electoral list along withLikudandGesher. Eitan served as minister of agriculture and rural development, minister of the environment, and deputy prime minister in the government formed by Likud'sBenjamin Netanyahuafter the May 1996 election (seeKNESSET ELECTIONS). He and Tsomet failed to pass the threshold for winning seats in the election to the 15th Knesset held on 17 May 1999. Eitan drowned off the port ofAshdodin 2004.