Herzog claims ‘ghost’ forces behind graft probe

In the wake of revelations that opposition leader Isaac Herzog is under investigation for graft, the Zionist Union list chairman warned Saturday of “ghost” forces disproportionately influencing politics, and reiterated his willingness to fully cooperate with authorities.

“We must not allow ghosts who are trying to influence law enforcement as part of election campaigns to contaminate us and introduce despicable political methods here,” he wrote in a Facebook post Saturday night.

“Our party will never be led by a person with a sullied reputation, and that includes me,” he continued. “So while I call for there not to be an investigation, I will do my part and answer any questions related to any of the libelous, malicious allegations against me.”

“I know I have acted honestly, ethically and fairly, just as I have lived my life,” Herzog added.

After he was named as the second lawmaker under investigation for graft along with Interior minister Aryeh Deri last week, Herzog made similar claims, saying the allegations against him were politically motivated.

Striking back at claims of financial wrongdoing relating to campaign financing of his successful bid to take over the Labor Party in 2013, Herzog charged the probe was a product of “delusional political muckraking” promoted by the Likud party and “frustrated activists” before last year’s Knesset elections.

“We aren’t suckers, we know why this happens, and whoever is responsible will feel a political impact from it for many years. I am not worried about any investigation, and I will cooperate with every procedure asked of me,” Herzog said without indicating who he believed to be responsible for making the claims against him.

On Thursday, state prosecutor Shai Nitzan recused himself from the case over a conflict of interest, Haaretz reported. Citing Justice Ministry officials, the report said Nitzan disassociated himself from the investigation over “familiarity with one of those involved with police.”

Although Herzog has a relatively positive reputation, this isn’t the first time he has faced suspicions relating to campaign funding.

He once memorably exercised his right to remain silent when he was investigated in 1999 as cabinet secretary, in connection with alleged campaign funding irregularities on the part of then-prime minister Ehud Barak.

Earlier on Saturday, former Labor Party leader Shelly Yachimovich said the suspicions of misconduct against Herzog were “a tough, burdensome end” to her week, adding that she hoped the probe would not take a heavy toll on the party.

Yachimovich, who lost the party leadership to Herzog in 2013, and who is widely expected to re-seek the top post in the next party primaries, has been viewed as someone who may benefit greatly from criminal suspicions against the opposition leader.

In a post to her twitter account on Saturday, she claimed this was not so.

Yachimovich said she would not elaborate on the issue much, as her comments could be taken as political opportunism, particularly as “one of the issues being investigated is tied to me directly — the allegedly illegal funding of a mudslinging campaign against me in the 2013 primaries.”

She said she simply hoped that “justice will prevail” and expressed her trust in the police and the state prosecution to get to the truth of things. “[I] pray that our party will not pay too heavy a price,” she added.

According to a report on Channel 10 news, the suspicions relate to direct payments made by donors to members of his leadership campaign. The report also said that police have acquired invoices that show Herzog knew of the illicit transactions.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.