Evidence likely insufficient to indict Herzog — report

Police haven’t amassed enough evidence for an indictment against opposition leader MK Isaac Herzog after a preliminary probe into suspected campaign financing irregularities, and are likely to recommend closing the case against him, Channel 2 reported Sunday.

A final decision from Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit as to whether or not to indict Herzog, who chairs the Labor Party and leads the Zionist Union faction, is expected in the coming weeks.

So far, Mandelblit had only ordered the preliminary inquiry into suspicions surrounding the 2013 Labor Party primaries, in which Herzog beat incumbent Shelly Yachimovich for the leadership. That probe has not been upgraded to a full-blown investigation.

Last week, Herzog was questioned under caution over suspicions he received unlawful contributions during the campaign.

However, according to the Channel 2 report, even before the inquiry was finalized and before the prosecutors had reviewed all the details, the expectation was that the findings were insufficient to recommend an indictment.

The main part of the investigation has now been completed and, as it stands, there is no conclusive evidence, the TV report said.

The attorney general approved the interrogation of Herzog, who is also suspected of failing to report a donation and of making a false statement. An interrogation session under caution is often a precursor to the opening of a criminal investigation.

Concerns centered on funding connected to a nonprofit organization used by Herzog supporters to manage a negative campaign against Yachimovich.

Among other things, the case involves the director general of a nursing agency who allegedly invested tens of thousands of shekels — over and above the official contribution cap — to fund the negative campaign.

In response to the interrogation, Yachimovich vaguely called for the Zionist Union to discuss “future steps.”

Herzog has maintained his innocence throughout the probe, intimating that the information was leaked to the authorities in an effort to thwart his leadership.