Presidential candidate Sheetrit reveals assets

Hatnua MK and presidential hopeful Meir Sheetrit shared his family’s finances with the public Monday, a day before the Knesset was set to elect Israel’s next president.

The disclosure came amid questions as to why Sheetrit did not publicize his statement Sunday along with the rest of the candidates.

He responded to the criticism Tuesday, asserting that “throughout the years of my public activity I reported my various assets as required by law.”

Sheetrit and his wife own four apartments across the country — in Yavne, Ashdod, Ashkelon and Eilat. He presented the paperwork for each, in addition to his paycheck.

“The success of my wife helped me to dedicate time to public service,” he said, “but given the current atmosphere I decided to reveal my list of assets to the public.”

Sheetrit is one of five remaining presidential candidates in the race to succeed Shimon Peres. Labor Party MK Binyamin Ben-Eliezer formally dropped his bid for the presidency Saturday, three days before the election and a day after he was questioned by police for alleged financial irregularities.

Along with Sheetrit, Reuven Rivlin (Likud), Supreme Court justice Dalia Dorner, former Knesset speaker Dalia Itzik and Chemistry Nobel Prize laureate Daniel Shechtman fill out the ballot, which will take place Tuesday morning in the Knesset.