Police question Netanyahu wife over ‘household spending from state funds’

Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been questioned by police over allegations of using public funds for private expenses. Israel’s first lady spent several hours at the anti-corruption unit of the Israeli police in the central town of Lod, east of Tel Aviv. She was answering questions on whether she used state funds to finance maintenance work and new furniture for the couple’s private home in the exclusive coastal city of Caesarea. She is also suspected of using taxpayers’ money to pay for her late father’s care while he was living at the official Jerusalem residence.

The claims against the prime minister’s wife are baseless and imaginary, and this will be clearly proven

Netanyahu family statement

The Netanyahus have long faced scrutiny over their spending and accusations that their lavish lifestyles are out of touch with regular Israelis. Mrs Netanyahu, 57, has come under fire for her expensive tastes, drinking and alleged abusive behaviour toward staff. She is alleged to have pocketed thousands of dollars in deposits from drink bottles used on state occasions. The Netanyahus say they are the victims of a media witch-hunt and have denied any wrongdoing. The prime minister says political opponents cynically target his wife as a way to get even with him.

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