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Netanyahu faces expenses probe, Likud accuses Zionist Union of illicit funding
The two parties leading the polls ahead of Israel’s general election were both hit by accusations of financial misdemeanour over the weekend.
According to Channel Ten correspondent Raviv Drucker, the State Comptroller is preparing to release a long-awaited report into the travel expenses of Likud’s leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during his time as Finance Minister. Drucker says that the report into the “Bibitours” affair concludes that Netanyahu accepted travel subsidy for his family on official trips from organisations and individuals, which “approaches suspicion of compromised integrity.”
This latest accusation follows allegations of excessive expenditures at the Prime Minister’s official residence. Israeli media reported that almost £17,000 was spent on alcohol in two years. Tzipi Livni, co-head of the Zionist Union electoral ticket, which is looking to unseat Netanyahu, said that the amount is equivalent to the average monthly salary of around one million Israelis. It is also reported that the Attorney General has ordered a police investigation into allegations that Netanyahu’s wife ordered the return of empty bottles from official functions to claim back a deposit, which she then kept for herself. Netanyahu dismissed the accusation as an “old, overblown, recycled story.”
However, Likud soon hit back with allegations of financial misconduct against Zionist Union. At a press conference yesterday, several senior Likud MKs presented evidence linking Zionist Union to the organisation V15 (Victory in 2015), which aims to ensure the end of a Netanyahu-led government. It is claimed that V15 is funded by a non-profit called One Voice, which receives support from foreign funding sources. Knesset electoral candidates are forbidden from accepting campaign funds from non-Israeli citizens and foreign bodies.
Likud Deputy Minister Tzipi Hotovely said “a government cannot be toppled with illegitimate means.” However, Zionist Union co-head Isaac Herzog said last night, “We have no connection to any organization or any outside campaign coming to replace Netanyahu. This is a total lie.” He added that Likud’s accusations were “a show of panic.”