State Comptroller Yosef Shapira has levied fines on political parties pertaining to unauthorized election spending pertaining to the last Knesset elections. The largest fine was levied against the Bayit Yehudi party; NIS 850,000.

Shapira had harsh words for Bayit Yehudi leaders, who he cited acted irresponsibly in the election campaign. However, Bayit Yehudi was not the worst, as the Arab Bloc received a fine of NIS 1,23 million for its election violations, which included spending NIS 1.4 million on 541 campaign offices nationwide. In his scathing report, Shapira explained he suspects that some of the rental agreements for offices were bogus, intended to cover up other unauthorized spending or overspending.

Shapira also levied a NIS 850,000 against Likud for its behavior during the campaign and other fines include;

· Yisrael Beitenu (NIS 195,000)

· Yachad (NIS 18,000)

· Kadima (NIS 800,000)

· Green Leaf (NIS 10,000)

The last three listed are parties that failed to obtain sufficient votes to enter Knesset.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)