David Bitan

David Bitan (Hebrew: דוד ביטן, born 8 April 1960) is an Israeli lawyer and politician. He currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Likud. Israeli attorney general Avichai Mandelblit announced on 26 January 2020 that Bitan would be indicted for "bribery, fraud and breach of trust, as well as money laundering and tax offenses" following a hearing.[1]

David Bitan
Date of birth (1960-04-08) 8 April 1960
Place of birthKenitra, Morocco
Year of aliyah1965
Knessets20, 21, 22, 23
Faction represented in Knesset
2015–Likud

Biography

David Bitan was born in Kenitra, Morocco and immigrated to Israel with his family at the age of five. During his national service in the Israel Defense Forces, he served as a combat medic. He then studied law at Tel Aviv University. After graduating with an LL.B in 1987 and receiving a law license, he worked as an attorney and later opened his own law firm.

Bitan is married to Hagit, and they have two daughters.

Political career

A member of Likud, he became a member of Rishon LeZion City Council in 1988 after becoming head of the party's Rishon LeZion branch. He went on to become Deputy Mayor of the city.[2]

He was placed 21st on the Likud list for the 2013 Knesset elections, but was moved down to 35th place after Likud agreed to run a joint list with Yisrael Beiteinu. With the alliance winning 31 seats, Bitan did not become a Knesset member. Prior to the 2015 elections he was placed 16th on the Likud list,[3] taking the place reserved for the coastal plain.[4] He was elected to the Knesset as Likud won 30 seats.[5]

In October 2017, Bitan was investigated by police for alleged bribery. He was suspected of received money from businessmen to pay off a massive debt while Deputy Mayor of Rishon LeZion.[6][7][8] On 7 March 2019, the Israeli police recommended bribery charges against Bitan.[9] He was nominated to be Minister of Agriculture on 5 January 2020,[10] but withdrew on 10 January prior to a Knesset vote on his appointment.[11]

References
  1. Raoul Wootliff (26 January 2020). "AG announces indictment against Likud MK David Bitan, pending hearing". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  2. Gil Hoffman (11 August 2014). "Likud ministers being pressured to quit Knesset". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  3. Likud list Central Elections Committee
  4. Staff writer (2 January 2015). "Erdan, Edelstein, Regev fly high on new Likud list". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  5. Final Unofficial* results of the Elections for the Twentieth Knesset Central Elections Committee
  6. Gidi Weitz; Lee Yaron (24 October 2017). "Israeli Police Investigating Criminal Allegations Against Key Netanyahu Ally David Bitan". Haaretz. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  7. Eisenbud, Daniel K. (24 October 2017). "Police reportedly investigating coalition chair over bribery allegations". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  8. Raoul Wootliff; Staff writer (24 October 2017). "Likud mover and shaker investigated for bribery – report". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  9. Staff writer. "Police recommend bribery charges for Likud's David Bitan". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  10. Jacob Magid (5 January 2020). "Netanyahu gives cabinet seat to another lawmaker facing bribery charges". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  11. Staff writer (10 January 2020). "Bitan withdraws nomination as minister after delays 'under various pretexts'". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
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