Legal Forum: Probe Yisrael Beiteinu's funding

Following government's decision to probe activity, funding of left-wing groups, watchdog organization urges state comptroller to investigate Lieberman's party as well; says police have 'solid information'

Reuters | Published: 01.18.11, 19:31

The Legal Forum on Tuesday asked State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss to launch an investigation into the funding sources of Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party.

"We've recently learned that Israel Police has obtained solid and substantial information regarding Yisrael Beiteinu's funding sources since the day it was formed," attorneys Natanel Peretz and Roi Abrahamovitch, who head the watchdog organization, said in a letter addressed to Lindenstrauss.

"It is inconceivable that a major party such as Yisrael Beiteinu will operate in darkness and allegedly raise funds illegally," they wrote.

"The state comptroller must use all means at his disposal to investigate the manner in which the party is funded and the connection between its senior members to the police investigation (against Lieberman)," the attorneys said.

Yisrael Beiteinu spokesman Tal Nahum said, "Had the people called the Legal Forum been familiar with the law the certainly would have known that every party is obligated to submit a yearly report to the state comptroller regarding their finances. Every year Yisrael Beiteinu receives a positive report regarding its proper management, and the report is accessible to the public."

The Legal Forum's request follows harsh comments made by Lieberman against Israeli human rights organizations. The FM said leftist groups "support terror" and aim to weaken the IDF "and its resolve to protect Israel's citizens." He also blasted right-wing elements who opposed the government's approval of Yisrael Beiteinu's proposal to investigate the activity and funding of the left-wing organizations.

Over the weekend some 15,000 people protested against the motion to probe leftist nongovernmental organizations and their funding sources, calling it "McCarthyism".

Due to the public outcry, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was examining the possibility of ordering an investigation into the activity of right-wing groups as well.