Netanyahu - Political persecution?
Photo: Amir Cohen
Mazuz - No basis for criminal charges
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Mazuz won't open criminal proceedings against Netanyahu
Chief aid to attorney general clarifies decision has no bearing on public, ethical implications of Opposition leader's expenditures during London trip amidst 2006 war
Attorney General Menachem Mazuz announced on Monday he would not open a criminal investigation against MK Benjamin Netanyahu
Opinion
Dr. Udi Lebel
Compared to what a European PR firm would have charged, funding Netanyahu's stay in London was a great deal
over his controversial financial expenditures during an official visit to London during the Second Lebanon War in the summer of 2006.
Mazuz said that while there was no basis for criminal charges in the matter, his decision had no bearing on whether there was room for ethical proceedings.
"After reviewing the relevant information, we have found no factual basis justifying criminal proceedings against MK Netanyahu. This, of course, without regard to the public or ethical implications of the matter," said the chief assistant to the attorney general, Mr. Ran Nizri, in a statement.
MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) demanded Mazuz look into the details of the case, in which it was alleged that Netanyahu and his wife rang up a $36,000 bill during the Likud chairman's wartime visit to Britain as part of Israel's PR effort.
The story was exposed by Channel 10 news in mid-March.
In a letter to Mazuz, MK Hasson sharply criticized Netanyahu for his "unacceptable leisure spending" and said all were currently wondering who "picked up the tab for them."
Meanwhile Netanyahu, who is suing Channel 10 for defamation, told Ynet that the allegations against him stem from political reasons. "I am being persecuted in an attempt to prevent the Likud and myself from leading the country, as is the will of the majority of the people," he said.
According to Netanyahu his stay in London, which he says was solely devoted to presenting Israel's case in the face of "Arab propaganda" in the UK, was funded entirely by the British Jewish community and Israel Bonds.
