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Netanyahu denies seeking armored car for his wife

PM slams media reports as ‘fake news,’ and ‘total lie,’ says the couple do not deal with security or bulletproofing matters

By AFP 24 May 2018, 11:50 pm

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara during a ceremony of awards for outstanding soldiers as part of Israel's 70th Independence Day celebrations, at the President's residence in Jerusalem, April 19, 2018. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday denied local media reports that his office requested a $500,000 armored vehicle for his wife.

The daily Maariv said that Sara Netanyahu currently travels in a Skoda from the premier’s official car pool — with no bulletproofing — and a security upgrade had been requested.

“Another example of fake news,” the premier wrote on Twitter.

“Maariv published on its front page this morning that my office has asked for an armored car for my wife Sara.”

“It’s a total lie,” he added. “My wife and I [first] heard about it in the media!”

Sara Netanyahu is facing a possible trial over alleged misuse of public funds, which she denies, while her husband is under investigation over several allegations of fraud.

The Haaretz newspaper said it was not known whether the alleged request originated with Sara Netanyahu or with the security department at the prime minister’s office.

“We have not requested such a thing and of course we do not deal with matters of security or bulletproofing,” the prime minister tweeted.