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Last update - 08:43 23/03/2008 ANALYSIS: Netanyahu seeks to contain damage to image By Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel Bonds, Israel, U.K.  This time it truly does smell very bad, and it's clear that the damage to Benjamin Netanyahu's image is considerable, senior Likud officials said on Saturday in response to a report in Friday's Yedioth Ahronoth alleging that the party chairman "arranged" two trips to France in the past several years via Israel Bonds. The trips, lecture junkets at luxury hotels, also served as family vacations, the tabloid daily reported. Channel 10 News recently reported on an expensive trip to London taken by Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, during the Second Lebanon War. Advertisement This time, Likud officials say, the issue isn't a wartime trip to explain the Israeli position, during which Netanyahu truly worked hard. This time he cannot claim unjustified persecution; when he arranges for ostentatious trips for his family at the expense of Israel Bonds, they say, it's bad. While Netanyahu's staff rallied the Likud troops after the Channel 10 expose in an effort at damage control, this time his bureau has decided to keep a low profile and wait for the media storm to pass. Netanyahu said in response that he did not stay in hotels at the state's expense and paid for his personal expenses out of pocket, but added that "he understands his public and intends to act accordingly." The senior sources said sarcastically that this means that in the near future we won't be seeing him and Sara at any castles and that they'll probably have to spend Pesach in Israel this year. According to the Yedioth report, which was based partly on statements by Israel Bonds President and former Likud cabinet minister Yehoshua Matza, Netanyahu effectively forced Matza to invite him to France on both occasions. Before Hanukkah last December, Netanyahu called Matza about his planned meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris and said that he planned to remain in Paris for the rest of the holiday. Israel Bonds spent NIS 18,300 for a three-night stay by the Netanyahus at the Paris Hilton. In 2004, Netanyahu called Matza and offered to speak on behalf of Israel Bonds during a planned trip to an upscale hotel on the French Riviera. Matza told Yedioth that he informed Netanyahu that Israel Bonds could not cover all his expenses. Netanyahu paid for half of the hotel bill, estimated to cost between NIS 5,000 and NIS 10,000 per night. Related articles: All in favor / The silence of the beepers King Bibi the First U.K. millionaire: Netanyahu's London trip was not a 'gift' Netanyahu: I acted for the state, not at the expense of the state Bookmark to del.icio.us   The gift of dignity T.A. charity provides female drug addicts with shower, meal and counseling. Sign of life Hamas leader says Gilad Shalit is still alive after two years in captivity.   1.   Are we talking about $5,000.00 dollars? 05:04  |  Meir Weinstein 23/03/08   2.   Crooks 05:10  |  Boyd 23/03/08   3.   Netanyahu abuse??? 06:35  |  JoJo 23/03/08   4.   Natanyahu seeks to contain damage to image 06:40  |  martin list, m.d. 23/03/08   5.   Oh, and the polititions that Haaretz promotes are all holy ??! 07:01  |  Jew 23/03/08   6.   A 3-Night Stay at Paris Hilton? 07:03  |  Mark of Lewiston 23/03/08   7.   A transparent politically motivated ploy against Bibi. 08:21  |  Chaim 23/03/08   8.   UNPOPULAR OLMERT does not give up.... 08:33  |  Dolly 23/03/08   9.   Re Meir #1 08:44  |  Esther 23/03/08   10.   OLMERT and his Cohorts at it again? 08:51  |  Dagma 23/03/08   11.   Ha`aretz is a leftist Mafia outlet 10:09  |  Asher 23/03/08   12.   Olmert will not win this time. 10:56  |  Onlooker 23/03/08   13.   Netanyahu has the right idea 13:21  |  Natallie Durson 23/03/08   14.   Bibi and the Bonds man = Matza farfel! 14:02  |  Mirqa 23/03/08   15.   He`s well worth it! 22:45  |  Sherlock Holmes 31/03/08

Today Online Settlers' council: We'll build with or without gov't okay Responses: 172 Yishai: Israel must negotiate with Hamas over Shalit release Responses: 110 Editorial: Peace talks, even on Jerusalem, must be secret Responses: 36 MK Swaid: Demolition of Arab homes will lead to an explosion Responses: 40 Rosner's Domain New Guest: Rabbis who don't officiate intermarriage should refer to rabbis who do Poll: What percentage of Jews will vote McCain? 38% for pressuring Palestinians, 25% for pressuring Israel (WTR) Can McCain get a boost from the new dovish Jewish lobby? More Headlines 21:34 Israeli kills Palestinian knifeman in attempted West Bank attack 21:54 Jerusalem council okays 600 new Jewish homes in Arab area 19:59 IDF tracker charged with 'aiding Hezbollah in war against Israel' 16:30 Norway tries suspects in 2006 shooting at main Oslo synagogue 21:28 Barak allots NIS 30M more for security in frontline communities 19:40 Clinton and Obama voters support Israel in similar numbers 20:06 Once a week, the gift of human dignity 14:37 Meshal: Shalit still alive; Yishai: We need swap talks with Hamas 14:22 Barak: If Gaza calm continues, we'll mull easing border control 18:52 Rights group demands gov't stop demolishing Bedouin homes 16:57 Rice: Israeli-PA talks on right track, peace deal possible in 2009 17:39 Mazuz rejects call to indict Netanyahu over London spending spree Previous Editions Select Day 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar

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