Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Prime Minster, Probed On Luxury Trips Abroad

JERUSALEM -- Israel's state comptroller has questioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over allegations of taking lavish, privately paid trips abroad while serving in public office.

A comptroller spokesman says staff questioned Netanyahu at his office Monday. The meeting however did not hit Israeli news until Friday as the Prime Minister began a trip to Canada and the U.S.

It is the first time Netanyahu is questioned about the allegations.

The comptroller began the probe last year following an expose on Israel's Channel 10 alleging that, between his first and second terms as prime minister, Netanyahu and his wife enjoyed expensive trips and meals paid for by wealthy associates.

Netanyahu denies the allegations and has filed a libel suit against Channel 10.

Comments

[Teacher 15]

01:04 PM on 03/03/2012

Moderator: How did this get through. (I've had comments omitted that were just benign statements.) If I see this word again, I'll report HP to the US Attorney General.

From the poster "screwitall"
March 3, 2012

1 hour ago (11:49 AM)

"I just don't like kikes."

[-Red-Pill]

05:51 PM on 03/03/2012

US Attorney General?!

Are you for real.

[ussuri]

09:39 AM on 03/03/2012

corrupt politician staring a war?

[Freenation]

08:31 AM on 03/03/2012

First called a liar by Sarko and now charges if corruption, guess Bibi passed the Litmus test of 'how to prove yourself a right wing PM of Israel'

[bunty4321r]

03:48 AM on 03/03/2012

What to ask a PM, people of his status go on F**king trip at government expense because it is their birth right. He is clever that he took his wife along, may be to play swap game as it is allowed by religious norms of Israel. If anyone has any doubt check up from any one of Israel.

[Teacher 15]

02:27 PM on 03/05/2012

"may be to play swap game as it is allowed by religious norms of Israel. If anyone has any doubt check up from any one of Israel."

baloney, and a highly ironic statement

[offred]

12:19 AM on 03/03/2012

"Israel's state comptroller has questioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over allegations of taking lavish, privately paid trips abroad while serving in public office."

Gosh, it would almost take something like a war to distract the public eye from these allegations.

[MIKEinNYC]

10:43 PM on 03/02/2012

Interesting that this should surface just as Bibi arrives in the USA for crucial talks with Obama.

[RubalKhali]

10:39 PM on 03/02/2012

The list of corruption investigations in Israel in recent years reads like a Who's Who of the political elite.

It includes every prime minister of the last 14 years, two previous presidents, two past Jerusalem mayors, numerous Cabinet ministers and one recently convicted felon who is still serving in the Knesset, or parliament.


http://articles.latimes.com/2010/oct/16/world/la-fg-israel-corruption-qa-20101017

[lbsaltzman]

07:21 PM on 03/03/2012

Israel democracy does seem a bit frayed around the edges to say the least.

[littlemonster]

08:43 PM on 03/02/2012

Dear Israel,
We feel your pain. We had Dick Cheney as president for eight years. Just pray that numbn-ts doesn't spend a trillion dollars on a violent, unproductive war that makes you less secure, less free and unable to pay your bills.
Signed,
America

[RubalKhali]

10:37 PM on 03/02/2012

Don't worry, he'll get America to pay for it all.

[Gcock10]

07:24 PM on 03/02/2012

YEP, we pay for it too.
This man and his ARROGANCE are beyond me.

[Joyousnc]

08:04 PM on 03/02/2012

America pays for a lot of things. Please show me where we pay for Mr. Netanyahu's trips? Just saying...

[who38]

07:15 PM on 03/02/2012

Hey, he has to keep Sarah happy and the way to do that is via the high life.

[patman77]

06:59 PM on 03/02/2012

i thought newts suga daddy from vegas was paying bebes freight.

[cop2122]

06:57 PM on 03/02/2012

I'm not surprise this joker tried to lecture the POTUS.He's a loud mouth blow hard.

[screwitall]

06:28 PM on 03/02/2012

Hey Net., stay home,cancel your trip to America. Make the comptroller happy and we certinly do not need any more of your poor Israel sob stories.

[Teacher 15]

01:14 PM on 03/03/2012

This from someone who calls Jews "kikes"

"We" [yeah, right, you're not an American] "certinly" [sic] don't need a bigot posting here.

[byronic]

05:09 PM on 03/02/2012

American support for Israel is entirely based on the self interest of politicians who recognise the power of the wealthy and influential Jewish population in the USA. The rest of America pays a very high price for this support, but rhe ordinary Israeli pays a higher price. Without US backing a more moderate, inclusive and peaceful Israel would be the likely outcome.

[who38]

07:16 PM on 03/02/2012

Exactly.  But it would be interesting to know if the Ofer Brothers, Saban, Adelson, and Moskowitz are among those who paid for Bennie and Sarah's little extravagances.

[Jack E Jett]

03:12 PM on 03/02/2012

This is the man that will destroy the world as we know it. Yet HuffPo chooses to delete the comments that shed some light on AIPAC.
WHY are so many host of CNN members of AIPAC?

[Vlady]

04:03 PM on 03/02/2012

How long being Jewish was replaced by euphemism AIPAC? Are you shy to say Jewish aloud?

[Jack E Jett]

04:41 PM on 03/02/2012

I don't think of all Jews as Israeli.

[ca va pas non]

04:46 PM on 03/02/2012

no he said aipac. there are descent jews across the world but a lobby with such agenda is different and not shy
here is aipac at work
http://youtu.be/G_NxLvnwFNY

[screwitall]

06:30 PM on 03/02/2012

Blitzer is one of their own.

[Teacher 15]

07:21 PM on 03/02/2012

Flagged

[soodeeell]

07:45 PM on 03/02/2012

What, you mean Jewish? Why speak in code? Man up and say what you mean.