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Lieberman ally questioned in corruption probe of Yisrael Beitenu officials
It was revealed yesterday that former-Jerusalem mayoral candidate Moshe Leon, considered a confidante of Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, is the latest figure associated with Yisrael Beitenu to be questioned in a widening corruption case.
The police began detaining and questioning officials last week, the highest profile being Deputy Interior Minister Faina Kirshenbaum. Others included former-Tourism Minister Stas Meseznikov and a number of local government leaders. It is alleged that the Yisrael Beitenu officials granted money to regional councils and NGOs in return for financial kickbacks. YNet reports that three of those questioned have agreed to serve as state witnesses against some of the 30 or so others detained.
Although Lieberman himself has not been implicated in the year-long investigation, he heavily backed Leon during last year’s high-profile Jerusalem mayoral race. Haaretz reports that Lieberman was preparing to place Leon high up on the party’s list of Knesset candidates and had earmarked him for a ministerial role. Leon was placed under five days’ house arrest. His media advisor commented yesterday that he “was questioned over the course of the day and cooperated fully with the investigation the entire time.”
Lieberman meanwhile alleged that the police investigation is politically motivated, coming into the open ahead of the general election on 17 March. Lieberman commented before yesterday’s cabinet meeting, “This is a planned procedure, extremely well-timed. The investigation is completely coordinated with the election period” and predicted it would continue until the end of the campaign.
Lieberman, often considered a hardliner, has recently appeared to be shifting the party towards the political centre. He spoke last week about the importance of a diplomatic initiative towards a peace agreement. In addition, media reports have suggested that Lieberman would drop three senior MKs, all considered right-wing ideologues, from the party’s Knesset list. One of them, Tourism Minister Uzi Landau yesterday announced he would be leaving politics after 31 years.