Yisrael Beiteinu MK Esterina Tartman, who is set to be appointed as tourism minister, presented medical documents to the High Court of Justice over a year ago stipulating she could work only four hours a day owing to injuries incurred in a car accident a decade ago, Channel 2 television revealed Sunday.

Tartman's claim was accepted, and the court authorized an increase in compensation paid to her.

The claim indicated that her ability to work had been severely compromised, and that she suffers from problems of memory, concentration and attention, an account the court accepted.

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While running for the Knesset, Tartman said "this Knesset is easy work - inconsistent and consisting mostly of talk." At the time, she said, "I maintain the demeanor and image that everything is okay, but no one sees that I'm collapsing."

Tartman said she left her work at Yahav Bank because she had lost her ability to work. Her insurance company, however, claimed that she left in order to begin her political career.

"Unfortunately, 10 years ago I went through an accident, from which I suffer pains still today," she told Channel 2.

"I hope to serve as a model for many people. Even though my body hurts, my spirit will remain stable and strong. I'm proud that I don't let my disability compromise my position."

Tartman rejects accusations of racist tendencies
Earlier Sunday, Tartman rejected accusations that she has held racist inclinations against Arabs.

In an interview with Army Radio, Tartman said, "I have never had anything against Arabs for being Arab. Look into my past and you will find that I served in the Histadrut leadership alongside Arabs for five years, and I worked with them in harmony and cooperation for the sake of the Arab population."

The cabinet on Sunday approved Tartman's appointment, as well as the appointment of MK Ghaleb Majadele as Sports, Culture and Science Minister, and the appointment of Isaac Herzog as Welfare Minister. The appointment will be brought before the Knesset for approval in 10 days.

Earlier Sunday, Arab MK Ahmed Tibi (Ra'am Ta'al) said that Tartman's appointment is a "lethal blow to sanity and tolerance."

Tibi was echoing a statement made by Tartman last month, when she described the appointment of Muslim Arab MK Raleb Majadele to the post of minister as "a lethal blow to Zionism."

Tartman had said in a radio interview "we must destroy the affliction within us, with God's help, the Holy One blessed be He will help us."

Tibi added Sunday that "the government has turned into a safe haven for racists. This government should be outlawed, now that it has lost its sanity, or alternately, it should be declared an illegal organization."

Minister of Strategic Threats Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party nominated Tartman on Sunday as the next Tourism Minister, replacing Labor minister Isaac Herzog, who last week agreed to take over at the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Last month, the state prosecution, responding to Tartman's comments on Majadele, announced that it was considering opening a criminal investigation into Tartman on suspicions of inciting racism.

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