Likud minister filed fraudulent insurance claim – report

Twelve years ago, a government minister reportedly filed a fraudulent insurance claim, which he subsequently withdrew when he was caught.

Communications Minister Ayoub Kara submitted a claim to his private insurance company in 2006, saying that, due to a psychological issue, he was no longer able to work, Channel 2 news reported.

It took place shortly after he lost his seat in the Knesset, along with many fellow lawmakers, following the collapse of his Likud party to only 12 seats, in the wake of that year’s general election.

Kara claimed millions of shekels, saying he was no longer able to work due to his mental condition.

In his claim he wrote that “his psychological state was terrible, he had fights with his wife, he had lost his self-confidence, and was unable to function and/or to work,” according to the report.

“I find it difficult to cope with daily life, I’m frustrated and withdrawn a lot in the house, I cannot function,” he wrote in his claim for a payout.

The insurance company was skeptical about the claim and hired private investigators to look into the matter. The investigators, from the Wizman Yaar agency, sent an agent who presented herself as a representative of a company who managed public speakers. She suggested that Kara work as an orator in Israel and abroad, promising him a high salary.

She recorded the conversation, in which Kara, who was keen on the job, told her he was healthy, physically and mentally, in every way. He also signed forms to that effect.

A week later, the insurance company called him in to a meeting and showed him the contradiction between his insurance claim and what he had told the private investigator. Kara understood the message and withdrew his claim, the report said.

In a response to Channel 2, Kara said that “he rejected this despicable character assassination. This is a campaign of obsessive persecution by biased parties.” He stressed that he “is recognized as a disabled IDF veteran and continues to receive treatment.”

Kara said that, “as he truly told the insurance company, any traumatic incident aggravates his condition.”

Channel 2 added that there appeared to be no connection between Kara’s army disability benefit and the claim he submitted to the private insurance company.