Netanyahu accused of having Israel Bonds pay for pricy hotels abroad
New details unveiled in Yedioth Ahronoth about Opposition Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu's travels abroad leads to claims he used Israel Bonds company as private travel agent
The State of Israel Bonds, an Israel development corporation, was used as a travel agency for Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu and his family, new details published in Yedioth Ahronoth indicated on Friday.
Israel Bonds Chairman Joshua Matza said that Opposition leader Netanyahu dictated the dates and destinations of his visits abroad to the Bonds organization, only giving minimal advance notice. Specifically, two trips to France in the last few years have come under scrutiny since it appears they were at least partially paid for by the company.
On the night before Hanukkah last year, Netanyahu called Matza and told him that he was scheduled to meet with French President Nicholas Sarkozy in Paris. Matza said that Netanyahu was informed that former Israel President Yitzhak Navon was expected to speak at a convention and he suggested that Israel Bonds add him to the list of speakers. When it turned out that this was not possible, Netanyahu allegedly told Matza: "Find me another event."
In the end, the Bonds organization put together an alternative event in which several people participated. The corporation paid for three nights lodging for the Netanyahu family at a rate of $5,389 per night.
On a separate occasion in 2004 Netanyahu and his wife Sarah vacationed at an upscale château on the French Riviera during the Sukkot holiday. Matza said that the Bonds corporation footed 50% of the bill for the hotel while Netanyahu paid for the second half.
The prices for a suite during the season in which the Netanyahus stayed at the château can reach $3,000 a night.
In response to Matza's remarks, Ofir Akunis, Netanyahu's media advisor, released a statement saying that the Opposition chairman did not stay at the listed establishments on the State's dime.
"This article is motivated by clear political considerations in an attempt to harm the Likud's and Netanyahu's chances to return to power in Israel," the statement added.
