Police investigators cooperating with Tax Authority officials and VAT inspectors are probing alleged corruption in Israel’s Sheirut Leumi organizations. Authorities on Monday morning 25 Menachem Av arrived at the offices of five NGOs that run Sheirut Leumi programs around the country along with the offices of CPAs dealing with the NGO organizations. It is alleged the NGOs have overcharged government agencies to the tune of millions of shekels.

A clandestine investigation has been ongoing, leading to the Monday morning raids in the offices mentioned. Also involved in the probe are Treasury officials. Sheirut Leumi officials have declined comment.

There are a number of NGOs that are accredited to operate Sheirut Leumi volunteers, primarily the religious girls who prefer this as a national service instead of the IDF. These NGOS are recognized by the state as official representatives of the Sheirut Leumi volunteers. Prior to entering Sheirut Leumi, one selects one of the NGOs as its representative body and serves in the Sheirut Leumi framework via the NGO, with the NGO receiving funding for each volunteer.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)