Tartman’s BA also questioned

VIDEO - Designated Tourism Minister Esterina Tartman sustained yet another blow to her already shaky reputation following reports that she did not successfully complete her first degree at Bar Ilan University. On Tuesday, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper exposed Tartman’s fabrication of a Masters degree. By late afternoon, it appeared that she had fabricated her bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance management as well. Tartman’s associates refused to comment, but stated that the claims were merely attempts by her political rivals to taunt her for her opinions. Bar Ilan University administrators said they could not find her name on a list of undergraduates going back to 1977, adding that they would prefer it if Tartman confirmed or denied the claims herself. Tartman may have taken courses that did not count towards a Bachelors degree. She has not yet responded to the claims. Following harsh criticism by the Knesset and Tartman’s own party members, her appointment as tourism minister is now threatened. Yedioth Ahronoth reported Tuesday that the Israel Our Home Knesset member's supposed Master's Degree was non-existent, and that although she did take several courses in economics, these courses were held in an institute that does not grant official academic degrees. Typo Tartman's biography in the Israel Our Home official website originally stated that she held a "Master's degree in economics and marketing from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem." Israel Our Home sources explained that this was a typing error, and that "she herself never claimed that (she had a Master's degree)." This statement however, also turned out to be inaccurate, as in an interview to the Knesset Cable TV channel two days ago, when asked about her skills and experience, the designated minister said, "I come from a clear economic background, a Bachelor's degree in accounting and finance and a Master's degree in business administration." A complaint has been filed to the Knesset's ethics committee following the report's publication. Earlier this week, Channel 2 TV revealed that Tartman told a Haifa court she would never be able to work more than four hours a day following a car accident some 10 years ago. Tartman made the claim 14 months ago and received a 52 percent disability allowance. Tartman drew criticism from across the political spectrum last month when she lambasted that Labor leader Amir Peretz's decision to appoint Israeli Arab Labor MK Raleb Majadle as science, sports and culture minister, terming it "a lethal blow to Zionism." Asked whether Tartman would get along with Majadele after slamming his appointment, Lieberman replied, "They will get along great." Tartman said, "I have no personal problem with Raleb or with anyone else, even not with (Defense Minister) Amir Peretz. I am protesting methods of cynical use for political needs." 'No room for liars in Knesset' If Tartman doesn't resign today, the Knesset must refuse to confirm her appointment, MK Ran Cohen (Meretz-Yahad) said in response to the reports about the designated minister. "There's no room for those who do not speak the truth in the government and the Knesset," Cohen stated. Other MKs from across the political spectrum slammed Tartman's alleged fabrication of her academic credentials, and called on her party's leader, Avigdor Lieberman, to withdraw her candidacy for tourism minister. Additionally, the Movement for Quality Government announced that they have already begun examining the possible criminal implications of Tartman lying about having a first degree. However, despite the reports Tartman stuck to her daily schedule Tuesday and even held a meeting with outgoing Tourism Minister Isaac Herzog at his office. Tzvika Brot is a reporter for Yedioth Ahronoth Amnon Meranda and Attila Somfalvi contributed to the report

Tartman’s BA also questioned

(VIDEO) Designated tourism minister said to have lied about Bachelors degree after Yedioth Ahronoth exposed similar claim concerning her Masters