Effie Eitam

Effie Eitam is a member of Knesset from the National Religious Party. Eitam, who had an illustrious military career, was elected NRP chairman in 2002.

As NRP chairman, Eitam faces resistance within the faction, particularly from senior party member Zevulun Orlev. In 2004, Eitam quit Ariel Sharon's government in light of his objection to the Gaza disengagement plan.

During his military career, Eitam was IDF company commander during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. In 1976, he commanded an elite IDF commando unit during Entebbe rescue mission in Uganda.

But in 2000, Eitam resigned from the army with the rank of brigadier general after then-IDF Chief of Staff Shaul Mofaz refused to promote him to major general.

In 2002, after being elected NRP chairman, Eitam was appointed minister without porfolio and National Infrastructure Minister in the Sharon government. From 2003-2004, he served as Housing and Construction Minister.

Eitam was born in 1952 in Kibbutz Ein Gev. He is married with eight children.