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State funded commendations for flotilla participants
State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss reveals that United Arab List-Ta'al used state funds to buy commemorative plaques for six Israeli Arabs who took part in Gaza flotilla
The IDF forces that took control of the Mavi Marmara in last year's Gaza flotilla never received medals or citations from the State – but the six Israeli Arabs who took part in the flotilla received commemorative plaques, funded by the State.
A report by State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss revealed that United Arab List-Ta'al used state funds to buy commemorative plaques for the six Israeli Arabs who took part in the Gaza-bound flotilla.
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A week after the flotilla, United Arab List-Ta'al Chairman MK Ibrahim Sarsur granted six commemorative plaques worth a total of NIS 5,000 ($1,380) to MK Hanin Zoabi (Balad), Islamic Movement leader Sheikh Ra'ad Salah and others.
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The MKS, with plaque, flotilla participants (Photo: Shahin)
According to the report, which examined the state's political party funding, the faction paid NIS 5,000 to buy the brass plaques, for the activists who took part in the flotilla on which IDF soldiers were brutally attacked and nine Turks were killed.
They listed the plaques as an expense aimed at keeping in touch with the party's supporters, as they were given out to well known people who represent an extensive section of the Arab Israeli sector.
The Comptroller noted in the report that the funds should never have been used to purchase the plaques and that their purchase could not be included in the "keeping in touch with the voters" clause as they were given as personal gifts directly to a small number of people. He added that their purchase from the public was illegitimate.
This is a case in which not only were public funds misappropriated, they were also uses to honor a group of people who took part in a flotilla against Israel.
No regrets
MK Sarsur said he was summoned to the State Comptroller's office where he was told that he used the funds contrary to state procedure. "I told them that there was no clause forbidding what we did," the MK told Ynet.
He added that "the flotilla participants took steps in line with social and political activity and their stance is justified, a kind of defense of values." Sarsur stressed that he did not regret his actions.
The plaques which were given out on behalf of the United Arab List and the Islamic movement had an inscription: "We welcome you back to Israel and wish you great success in the service of the people." Sarsur claims that the State Comptroller agreed that he did not go against directives: "The State Comptroller justified my actions and was in favor of my claims."
Yaron Druckman contributed to the report
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