Yachimovich: I used light drugs when I was younger

Labor leader tells Knesset TV she smoked light drugs 'several times' in her youth

Ynet|Published: 10.09.13 , 18:17

Labor Chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich admitted to having used recreational drugs when she was younger. In an interview with the Knesset Channel on Wednesday, Yachimovich said, "I smoked light drugs in my youth several times. The last time was 16 years ago."

During the interview, Yachimovich took a jab at Finance Minister Yair Lapid who has repeatedly denied having ever used drugs.

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"I live in peace with my past," she said. "Unlike other politicians…such as Yair Lapid, who keeps discovering some detail from his past he had forgotten about, such as the fact that he emigrated from Israel…"

In September, former associates of Lapid came forward with claims that they had smoked recreational marijuana with him.

Lapid said in response to the allegations: "It wouldn’t harm me politically if I said I smoked grass, but I didn’t."

Yachimovich, who, like Lapid, is a former journalist, told the Knesset Channel she did not smoke while working for Israel Radio.

Asked is she was in favor of legalizing light drugs, she said "It's a very complicated issue and I have no clear opinion on it. Today, under the current circumstances – no. But I am in favor of (removing constraints) regarding the use of cannabis in the treatment of Parkinson's and cancer patients."

Yachimovich is widely expected to win reelection as Labor leader in the party primaries this month.