Israeli police recommend indicting Sara Netanyahu over ‘irregularities in the running of the prime minister’s households’

THE JEWISH CHRONICLE – Israeli Police have recommended indicting Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over “irregularities in the running of the prime minister’s households” according to Haaretz.

Mrs Netanyahu was questioned under caution in December 2015 by Israel Police’s Lahav 433 fraud investigation unit. She was asked to detail her involvement in the running of the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem and to explain whether state funds were used at their private residence in Caesarea.

According to Haaretz, the probe, based on a state comptroller’s report issued in February 2015 on major overspending at Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence,focusses on three main issues.

The issues covered include is the employment of electrician Avi Fahima, a former Likud Central Committee member and the allegedly a fraudulent contract awarded him.’

The second issue related to refunds on recycled bottles, with it being reported that Sara Netanyahu allegedly made thousands of shekels from recycling refunds between 2009 and 2013; funds which should have gone to the Israeli government.

The third issue claims that garden furniture supposedly bought for the prime minister’s official residence was actually installed in the Netanyahu’s private home in Caesarea.

Extra evidence is said to have been supplied by Meni Naftali, the former chief caretaker at the official residence in Jerusalem, who earlier this year won a legal case against Sara Netanyahu.

The Israeli state was ordered to pay over NIS 170,000 (£30,000) when the Jerusalem Region Labour Court found that Meny Naftali had suffered abuse while working for the Israeli prime minister and his wife.