Yehudit Naot (1944-2004)

Fri., December 17, 2004 Tevet 5, 5765
Ex-minister Yehudit Naot to be buried Sunday in Haifa

By Zafrir Rinat, Yuval Yoaz and Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondents, and Haaretz Service

Former environment minister Yehudit Naot, who died Thursday evening in her Haifa home following a battle with cancer, will be buried at 1 P.M. Sunday in the Kfar Samir cemetery in Haifa.

Naot, 60, was born in Kiryat Haim and studied at the Technion where she was later a professor of biology. She served in both the current and previous Knesset sessions as an MK for Shinui.

Naot was married and had three children.

Naot joined Shinui in 1975 and was active in its council and secretariat. She served as a member of Haifa's city council periodically from 1978 through 1997 and was deputy mayor of the northern port city from 1989 to 1991 and 1993 to 1996.

Mourning her passing, Shinui leader MK Yosef Lapid said, "She was an exemplary figure. With her total integrity, she always said exactly what she thought and did not make the compromises that most politicians make."

In late September, Naot had announced her intention to resign from her position as environment minister due to her deteriorating health.

A cancerous growth was discovered in Naot's throat a few months after assuming the post of environment minister, but she opted to continue serving as minister during medical treatment.

"Since the illness was diagnosed I had made it clear to myself and those surrounding me that I would not allow my health situation to undermine one iota the running of the Environment Ministry," she said in September.

Naot lost her ability to speak as a result of surgery that removed her vocal chords.

"Because I would like to gather my powers and time for medical treatment, and out of concern that this may undermine the ability of the Environment Ministry to carry out its operations properly and efficiently, I believe it is correct to vacate my position in favor of another minister."

One of the most memorable aspects of Naot's tenure as environment minister was her decision to opt for this particularly ministry, marking a first in Israel's governments.

Naot was instrumental in passing the law for the environmental protection of beaches, and a government decision to commit itself to sustainable development.

Naot was also a firm advocate for the removal of the fishing cages in the Gulf of Eilat.

Jerusalem, 19 December 2004

Cabinet Communique
(Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat)

At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 19 December 2004:

1. Prime Minister Sharon eulogized former Environment Minister Professor Yehudit Naot (http://tinyurl.com/5usvx) who passed away last week. Prime Minister Sharon said: "Our friend, and former minister, Yehudit Naot will be laid to rest in a few hours. Every member of this government had the privilege to personally know her special character, which encompassed a pleasant manner, high moral standards and an exceptional inner calm. As Environment Minister, she left her stamp on those issues that were close to her heart. I remember our joint tour of Hiriya, how her eyes lit up when she spoke about the plan to build Ayalon Park (http://tinyurl.com/6yh9t). Yehudit was able to see the plan to establish the park approved.

"Over the last year, we accompanied Yehudit on her difficult fight against cancer. Despite the many difficulties, she continued to fulfill her role as minister and I remember her here, in Cabinet meetings, writing notes in order to express her opinion. I was amazed at her courage and her determination, which brought her to do what appeared to be impossible - to continue functioning as a minister and not to give up. Yehudit Naot will be missed by all of us around this table and I will personally miss her. I send my condolences to Uri, Tamar, Assaf and Noa."