Israel: Watchdog Launches Probe Against Netanyahu

srael’s top government watchdog will launch a probe into allegations that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took several overseas trips paid for by private individuals while he served as a Knesset member, it was announced Sunday.

The announcement came from the office of Israel’s state comptroller, Micha Lindenstrauss, and comes days after controversial Israeli media reports alleged that Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, developed close relationships with a number of wealthy benefactors and used them to finance private travel for themselves and family, including first-class accommodations and extravagant restaurants, the Israeli Maariv daily reported.

In televised remarks last Wednesday, Netanyahu called the reports an “orchestrated smear campaign” and accused the reporters of trying to force him out of office.

Last Tuesday, Netanyahu filed libel suits against Israeli television broadcaster Channel 10 and the daily Maariv newspaper, demanding damages of approximately USD 300,000 each.