Former MK Esterina Tartman Dies at 68

Former Knesset Member Esterina Tartman, who represented the Yisrael Beiteinu party, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 68. Tartman was born in Jerusalem in November 1957 and entered politics in 1999, running for the Knesset with Yisrael Beiteinu. She first entered the Knesset during the 16th term due to the resignation of another member, and was elected in the 17th term, serving from 2006 to 2009.

During her tenure, Tartman held significant positions, including chairwoman of her party's faction, a member of the Knesset House Committee and the State Audit Committee, and served as acting chairwoman of the latter. She was also a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Notably, she co-sponsored legislation to amend the State Education Law, aiming to permit the establishment of integrated state education institutions.

Prior to her political career, Tartman served in the IDF as the Officer of the City of Jerusalem and later as a reservist Officer of the City for the Benjamin and Givat Ze'ev region. Her early life included studies at a Beit Yaakov school and a period living on Kibbutz Hafetz Haim.

Yisrael Beiteinu party leader Avigdor Lieberman expressed his sorrow, stating, "Estherina dedicated many years to public service and to the State of Israel, acting with devotion and determination." Tartman's funeral was scheduled for Wednesday at 4:00 PM at the 'Kehilat Yerushalayim' funeral home on Har HaMenuchot in Jerusalem.