Blumnethal. Free
Photo: Niv Calderon
Justice minister rules no jail time for Blumenthal
Former Likud MK's sentence mitigated to two months probation, six months community service. 'Recommendation based on merits' says Justice Ministry's statement
Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann ruled Wednesday that former Likud MK Naomi Blumenthal would not serve a jail sentence for her convictions of bribery.
Her sentence was mitigated to two months probation and six months community service.
Blumenthal was sentenced to eight months is prison last April for bribing Likud members before the 2002 primaries for the party's leadership.
Government Corruption
Amnon Meranda
Former MK convicted of bribery and obstruction of justice asks not to serve prison sentence, due to husband's recent death
A statement released by the Justice Ministry made it clear that Blumenthal's political standing played no part in Friedmann's decision.
"Let there be no doubt that the roles played by Mrs. Blumenthal in the public sector had no impact on this decision.
"This recommendation is based on the merits of the case alone, as are many other leniency petitions made to the Justice Ministry… in many cases the (justice) minister makes similar – if not lighter – sentencing recommendations."
Naomi Blumenthal's children petitioned Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik two months ago, for clemency for their mother.
"Mom has been punished enough," said the petition. "We've just lost our father and she is in mourning... she has to face the unbearable task of life without her love of forty years… mom is the heart of our family. The though of her going to jail is incomprehensible."
Blumenthal's children's petition was preceded by a public campaign by her associates, which climaxed with a letter written by Israel's fifth President Yitzhak Navon to the Knesset Speaker, asking that her sentence be converted from eight months in prison to community service.
