Hirchson will resign if Mazuz tells him to, aides say
At current time, attorney general finds evidence insufficient to replace finance minister, but associates say Hirchson will need to step down if Mazuz changes mind
Associates of Finance Minister Abraham Hirchson told Ynet on Thursday that the minister would leave his position if told to do so by Attorney General Menachem Mazuz.
Hirchson is currently under investigation on charges of embezzlement and accepting bribes, but, at the current moment Mazuz has decided that there is insufficient evidence to request that Hirchson resign.
Hirchson was questioned by police on Tuesday on suspicions of receiving cash payments. On Tuesday evening it was also revealed that during a return trip from Poland in 1997, officials uncovered $250,000 cash concealed in Hirchson's belongings.
This incident was not part of the line of questioning pursued by police on Tuesday but it will be part of future questionings.
Hirchson's associates refuted rumors that he plans to resign, declaring that charges against him would not stand. Resignation "is not being considered and the Finance Minister is convinced of his innocence," they said.
Nonetheless, several colleagues in Kadima said that Hirchson will not be able to ignore an attorney general decision, if Mazuz decides to ask the minister to resign.
"Hirchson's situation is complicated. It's unclear yet where he'll be when all the investigations are over," some associates said on Wednesday.
