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Herzog, Deri both under investigation in separate corruption probes
Two of Israel’s most prominent political leaders are under investigation for possible corruption, in unrelated cases. It was announced yesterday that opposition leader, Zionist Union head Isaac Herzog is being probed. A day earlier, it was revealed that Shas leader, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri is being investigated.
Although the nature of the alleged offences concerning Deri remain under a gag order, Deri himself asked Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to make his name public. Channel Two speculated that the case involves Deri’s real estate holdings. Deri said, “I and everyone connected to me is prepared to answer any questions and help.” He added that he had asked Mandelblit “to expedite the probe and put his foot on the gas to remove doubts, so I can continue to work.”
Deri was convicted of corruption during a previous stint as Interior Minister during the 1990s and was imprisoned in 2000. He has since returned to head Shas and earlier this year returned to the Interior Ministry, an appointment which was challenged in court due to his previous conviction.
Meanwhile, yesterday Herzog was named as the second, previously unidentified politician being investigated for corruption. Channel Two reported that the allegations involve funding irregularities surrounding his campaign for the Labour Party leadership in 2013, in which he defeated Shelly Yachimovich. Herzog said yesterday that he would “cooperate fully” with the investigation and hoped that “the issue is clarified as soon as possible.” Herzog previously refused to testify in an investigation into campaign funding for the 1999 general election.
He described the current allegations as “delusional political muckraking” by Likud members and “frustrated activists” from his own party. Herzog commented “I’m sure the examination [of the allegations] will refute these delusional claims once and for all.”
Yachimovich, who is considered Herzog’s rival for the party leadership, did not comment on the allegations when asked. However, another Zionist Union MK, Erel Margalit, also thought to be considering a leadership run, gave Herzog his full support.