State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss will decide tomorrow whether to open a comprehensive investigation into the overseas trips by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his family, revealed by a Channel 10 investigative report. Lindenstrauss outlined his position to the Knesset State Control Committee about public figures who make trips paid by private parties. "It is improper for public figures to travel at the expense of donors and philanthropists. I've said this several times in the past," he said.
The Channel 10 report revealed frequent trips by the Netanyahu family, which included stays at luxury hotel suites and meals at prestigious restaurants paid by wealthy persons in Jewish communities around the world.
Following the report, the Office of the State Comptroller has received several complaints asking it to investigate the affair. In view of these complaints, Lindenstrauss has appointed a team of senior officials to make a preliminary review of the claims in the report.
Yesterday, Netanyahu filed NIS 1 million lawsuits against Channel 10, which ran the exposé, and against Hebrew daily "Ma'ariv". Netanyahu claims that the media libeled and slandered him.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 30, 2011
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