PM: Misezhnikov allegations disturbing
Netanyahu comments on Channel 2 report alleging tourism minister often found inebriated; says 'We must wait until everything is clarified'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented Tuesday on Channel 2's report suggesting alleged misconduct by Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov (Yisrael Beiteinu), saying that "The report was disturbing. We've heard the minister's response; we must wait until everything is clarified."
According to the report, Misezhnikov often dodges his security detail in favor of spending considerable time in night clubs – sometimes strip clubs – often ending his nightly adventures drunk to the point of complete disorientation.
Related stories:
- Misezhnikov caught in flagrante delicto?
Misezhnikov commented on the allegations by sarcastically marking: "I showed up to work on time today, and even took a breathalyzer test."
Later he added: "I'm being slandered. I have never been drunk in public; I haven't been to strip clubs. I'm proud to be an Israeli – I have never disgraced my country and I have nothing to be ashamed of."
The Channel 2 report was based on the accounts of several members of, the minister's security teams. Channel 2 reporter Amit Segal stressed that one source was even polygraphed on the matter and found to be telling the truth.
The report included the audio testimonies of several security sources – whose voices were distorted to protect their anonymity – saying that Misezhnikov often "parties until all hours of the night and at the end of some nights, the minister it too drunk to know where he is."
One source went on: "If it was just a drink here and there, that's fine, but we saw dozens of cases when he would stagger back, drunk on his feet, reeking of alcohol."
The source added that "Sometimes he would be so drunk he would lose his balance. Some security guards would prop him up, but others refused. They said it was inappropriate for a public official to behave this way."
In response to the allegations, the Tourism Ministry gave Channel 2 the following statement: "The minister's security adheres to the same directives imposed on all government ministers and does not deviate from them in any way."
Gilad Morag contributed to this report
- Receive Ynetnews updates directly to your desktop
