Graft probe into opposition leader Herzog closed

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced on Monday that he was closing a probe into suspected campaign financing irregularities by opposition leader MK Isaac Herzog, citing lack of evidence of wrongdoing.

A preliminary inquiry had looked into suspicions surrounding the 2013 Labor Party primaries, in which Herzog beat incumbent Shelly Yachimovich for the leadership.

“There is no direct evidence in the case file that shows, and it is not possible to prove, Herzog’s awareness [of wrongdoing] even on a basis of circumstantial evidence or the logic of things, at the level needed for a criminal trial,” Mandelblit said in a statement.

“Therefore, I am of the opinion that the file against Herzog should be archived due to “lack of evidence.”

Last August, police had recommended closing the case due to insufficient evidence.

“I welcome the decision by the attorney general, based on the opinions of the police and the prosecutor, to close the case into my matters,” Herzog responded in a statement. “I always believed that it would be shown I acted appropriately and there was nothing lacking in my activities, and I am glad that was decided at this stage.”

“It is worth noting that the investigation was based on a tendentious and unfounded article, what was published on the eve of the general election in the Israel Hayom newspaper,” he said.

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

In April 2016, Herzog was questioned under caution for five hours over suspicions he received unlawful contributions during the party leadership campaign.

The attorney general approved the interrogation of Herzog, who was 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 involved 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 at the time, Yachimovich vaguely called for the Zionist Union to discuss “future steps.”

Israel Hayom, a newspaper which backs Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is currently embroiled in another graft probe — this time involving the prime minister. In what has become known as “Case 2000,” police are investigating meetings between Netanyahu and Arnon Mozes, publisher of the rival Yedioth Ahronoth daily, with suspicions focused on an alleged deal negotiated by the two men in which Netanyahu would push legislation to hamper distribution of the free Israel Hayom in return for more favorable coverage by Yedioth. Mozes has been questioned under caution six times, and Netanyahu three times over this and other graft allegations. He denies any wrongdoing.