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State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss. (Kobi Gideon / BauBau)
Last update - 21:54 01/03/2007
AG, State Prosecutor to look into favors PM gave Likud activists
By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent

Attorney General Menachem Mazuz and the State Prosecutor's Office will examine a document detailing favors Prime Minsiter Ehud Olmert provided for Likud Central Committee members and their families during his stint as trade and industry minister, Israel Radio reported Thursday.

State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss decided Thursday to launch an investigation into appointments made by Olmert, after the document was revealed Wednesday by Channel 10 news.

Olmert said Wednesday that he "does not recall" the document, which details 115 favors and promotions Olmert and his associates granted to scores of Likud party activists.

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Lindenstrauss announced his decision to hold an investigation along with MK Zevulun Orlev (NRP-National Union), chairman of the Knesset Comptroller's Committee.

The comptroller said the incidents listed in the document were unknown to his office prior to the Channel 10 report.

Following the report, Orlev asked Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to open an investigation into the matter.

"I am not familiar with the document," the prime minister said Wednesday. "It was presented to me a very short time ago. I don't recall composing such a document or authorizing someone to do so.

"We did a lot of things we were legally obligated to do, like appointing the Israel Broadcasting Authority's general assembly. We also had many citizens - members of the Likud Central Committee as well - who came to us with complaints about foot-dragging, troubles and bureaucratic problems. There are other instances that I don't specifically recall. We acted in accordance with the directives of the attorney general."

The internal document, penned by an adviser to Olmert, outlines favors for 115 political activists and Likud Central Committee members.

Olmert allegedly took advantage of his authority as industry and trade minister and communications minister by helping Likud Central Committee members and their families.

The document describes how Olmert and his associates granted the relatives of central committee members permits to employ foreign workers, promoted or prevented the dismissal of postal workers, and acted to rezone agricultural land for construction.

The Prime Minister's Office said Wednesday some of the details appeared to be correct and justified, while others were not.

The document indicates that Olmert used his position in the government of former prime minister Ariel Sharon to bolster his strength among Likud activists through the government entities he controlled. These include the Industry and Trade Ministry's Investment Center, the Israel Small and Medium Enterprises Authority, and the employment bureau and foreign workers unit.

Institutions connected to the Communications Ministry that Olmert is suspected of unduly influencing include the Israel Broadcasting Authority, and telecommunications companies including Bezeq, Partner and Barak. He also allegedly used his authority to intervene in the Israel Land Administration.

Next to the name of each political activist on the list, the document describes the perk each one apparently received. These include, for example: "Pini Sabah - Central committee member from Ashkelon - We arranged 21 foreign workers for his pal (construction)" and "Freddy Malik - Central committee member and head of Nesher branch - Caregiver for his mother." According to the document, Olmert and his assistants arranged foreign worker permits for five more central committee members.

Other entries involve positions in entities affiliated with the ministries Olmert controlled. This is the case for Shimon Shoshan, a central committee member from Yavneh, next to whose name the document states, "We promoted him in the postal service." Another such entry concerns Alex Goffman, head of the Upper Nazareth Likud branch; according to the document, "Olmert is arranging work for his son at Barak."

At least five people are listed in the document as having received assistance in the form of promotions, or prevention of dismissals.

Avi Moskovitch, assistant to the postal service director general, told Channel 10 that Olmert pressured senior postal officials to promote his associates. He said that one time, Olmert threatened the director general of the postal service, Yossi Shelly, while they were riding in an elevator, telling him: "If you don't finish this appointment in the north for me, I'll cut off your balls."

The Prime Minister's Office said Olmert was not aware of the contents of the document until the Channel 10 report.

"The document was apparently composed by a former political adviser, out of a desire to elevate the minister and demonstrate his political accomplishments regarding the Likud Central Committee," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

"It has details that appear, on the face of it, to be correct - the fruit of proper and justified treatment of requests, including [from] party members, including appointments that were made legally, with proper disclosure of party affiliation - alongside details that are not correct."

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