Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Shlomo Benizri may be interrogated about allegations that he influenced the outcome of a bid for supplying foreign workers.
The Israel Police National Fraud Unit is investigating suspicions of bribery and fraud, in connection with the dismissal of Yaakov Buchris, director of the Israel National Employment Service. In his appeal to the High Court of Justice, Buchris alleged that Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Shlomo Benizri and other politicians acted to influence the outcome of a tender in favor of a company with which they were associated. The tender was for supplying 4,000 workers to the agricultural sector.
Buchris, interrogated on Thursday, offered his version of the affair. Sources close to the investigation are not ruling out the possibility that Benizri will also be questioned.
The State Attorney’s Office today notified the High Court of Justice that Buchris should be returned to his former position with all his previous powers, due to irregularities in his dismissal. The cancelled dismissal sparked a storm within Shas and among top Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs officials.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on 18 November, 2001