members who were promised ministries by Rabin in return for their support. On 1996, Tzomet joined an alliance of Likud and Gesher headed by Benjamin Netanyahu. Although the triumvirate lost the Knesset election to Labour, Netanyahu won the election for Prime Minister, allowing him to form the government. Eitan was promised the ministry of internal security, but a criminal investigation against him blocked his nomination. The investigation eventually cleared Eitan and the case was closed on 1998 due to "lack of evidence". In the meantime, Eitan served as Agriculture and Environment Minister and also as a Deputy Prime Minister (1998–99). In 1999 Tzomet failed to win any Knesset seats and Eitan retired from politics. Death On 23 November 2004, Eitan arrived at the Mediterranean sea port of Ashdod, where he was overseeing a port expansion project. A large wave swept him from a breakwater into the sea and he drowned. He was lost in rough waters for over an hour before his body was recovered by the Israeli Navy. He was pronounced dead after efforts to revive him failed. Awards and decorations Bibliography A Soldier's Story: The Life and Times of an Israeli War Hero by Raful Eitan () See also List of Israel's Chiefs of the General Staff References External links Rafael Eitan's biography Knesset website Rafael "Raful" Eitan Jewish Virtual Library 1929 births 2004 deaths Palmach members Deaths by drowning Israeli Jews Israeli people of Russian-Jewish descent Israeli people of the Yom Kippur War Accidental deaths in Israel People from Afula Recipients of the Medal of Courage Tehiya politicians Tzomet leaders Israeli generals Members of the 11th Knesset (1984–1988) Members of the 12th Knesset (1988–1992) Members of the 13th Knesset (1992–1996) Members of the 14th Knesset (1996–1999) Ministers of Agriculture of Israel Ministers of Environment of Israel