Esterina Tartman, Former MK and Channel 14 Analyst, Dies at 68

Esterina Tartman, a former Member of Knesset and a prominent analyst on Channel 14, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 68. Tartman was known for her hawkish right-wing political stances and sharp rhetoric, particularly concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She served in the 16th and 17th Knessets for the Yisrael Beiteinu party, where she chaired the faction and acted as deputy chair of the State Audit Committee.

Throughout her life, Tartman faced significant health challenges. She battled cancer in the mid-1990s and recovered. In January 1997, she was severely injured in a car accident that left her with 52% disability and confined her to bed for nearly a year, forcing her to reduce her work commitments. Despite these hardships, she remained active in public life.

Tartman was married to Amos Tartman, one of the founders of the settlement of Ma'ale Adumim, and they had four children. Her public persona was characterized by her assertive approach to security issues and her strong opposition to what she termed "weakness" in dealing with Palestinians, which often sparked public controversy. She was considered one of the more fiery and prominent figures in the political arena during the 2000s and in recent years as a media commentator.