Israeli PM’s wife in hot water over food bill
Sara Netanyahu likely to be indicted on fraud charges related to lifestyle spending
JERUSALEM— Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is likely to be indicted on fraud-related charges in a case that peers into spending on catered meals and lifestyle in the official residence, a statement by Israel’s attorney gen- eral said Friday. The probe — dubbed the “meal booking affair” — alleges that the prime minister’s wife and the head of the operational resources unit in the official residence falsified documents so that food from outside companies and private chefs could be used, even though there was a full-time chef.
The statement by the attorney general, Avichai Mendelblit, said that Netanyahu is suspected of diverting about $124,000 in public funds for this use.
Netanyahu was informed that she would be able to make final arguments in the case before the state attorney issues a possible indictment, which could lead to a trial.
No date has been set for such a hearing, however.
Both during Benjamin Netanyahu’s first term as prime minister between 1996-99 and since taking office in 2003, his wife has come under scrutiny for her perceived opulent life- style, often being portrayed by the local media as a kind of Marie Antoinette.
Last year, a former housekeeper at the official residence successfully sued the couple for abusive treat- ment, winning about $53,100 in damages. During his testimony, Meni Naftali revealed intimate details about Sara Netanyahu’s lifestyle, including her taste for pink champagne and other luxuries.
Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the attorney general’s statement in a Facebook post, laying the blame for the inflated spending on his former housekeeper Naftali. He uploaded a bar chart, highlighting that the overspending “fell miraculously when he left.”