The Knesset Ethics Committee rebuked opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu for failing to follow procedure regarding a trip he took with his wife Sara to Europe during the Second Lebanon War.

The trip served as a platform for the former prime minister to explain Israel’s position, permitting him an opportunity to engage in PR on Israel’s behalf. He was censured for failing to obtain the Ethics Committee approval as required and for taking his wife along, again without approval. Reports state the 6-day PR visit cost NIS 131,000, but Mr. Netanyahu did secure the funds from a private unnamed donor, who made up the difference, covering expenses above the amount allocated by the state for such a mission.

The complaint was filed by activists from the Labor Party, who cited the law prohibits one taking one’s spouse on such a trip which is funded by a private benefactor.

Netanyahu sought to have the complaint dismissed by the committee, but the committee did not comply, despite Netanyahu insisting he paid for private expenses out of pocket.

The committee ruled that in such cases, the participation of one’s spouse demands that the elected official pay privately, but decided Netanyahu is guilty of violating a directive, noting more, censuring him and closing the matter.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)