From the Israel Archives |
Coverage of the Events since October 2000
Hände weg von Israel und Islam!
Report: Peres Accepted Illegal Payments [From Foreigner Buying Bezeq And Other Businessmen]
2006-04-27
[IMRA: While Haim Saban is well known as a financial supporter of the Israeli Left, it should be noted that he is also heavily involved in investments in Israel that require approval by government authorities (for example the purchase of Bezeq - Israel's telephone company).]
The Jerusalem Post
www.jpost.com/servlet/ Satellite?cid=1145961236541& pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2F ShowFull
As first reported by The Jerusalem Post some three months ago, State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss confirmed Thursday morning that MK Shimon Peres (Kadima) is suspected of accepting illegal contributions for his Labor Party primaries campaign.
According to the allegations, Peres received a forbidden donation of some $320,000 from two overseas donors on the eve of his loss to Amir Peretz in the party leadership race.
The State Comptroller's Office reported that Peres received donations of $100,000 each, from businessmen Haim Saban and Bruce Rappaport, and $120,000 from Daniel Abrams. The figures were provided by Peres himself.
The details of the report have already been brought to the attention of Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz and Peres has employed the services of attorney Ram Caspi.
Yoram Dori, an adviser to Peres, denied the allegations.
"Shimon Peres did not violate any laws. All campaign funding was done in accordance with the regulations," Dori said. The complete State Comptroller report was set to be published in three weeks.
"We must make sure the law is upheld exactly as legislated by the Knesset," Lindenstrauss told the Post. "We must deal with these donations with an iron fist to make sure the law is observed."
Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis
