Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., March 28, 2008 Adar2 22, 5768 | | Israel Time: 06:51 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 06:50 28/03/2008 Police grill minister over junket funded by agricultural firm By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Ruhama Avrahah Balila  Cabinet member Ruhama Avraham Balila was interrogated Thursday under caution as part of the investigation into the Agrexco affair. The National Fraud Squad is investigating allegations that Avraham and MK Eli Aflalo traveled abroad at the expense of the agricultural exports conglomerate. Aflalo is not considered a suspect. Aflalo and Avraham allegedly flew to Belgium and the U.S. in August 2004 on trips financed by Agrexco, violating a decision of the Knesset Ethics Committee. The pair were then serving on the Knesset Finance Committee and had been prohibited from traveling abroad at Agrexco's expense in July 2003 by the ethics committee. The two lawmakers claim they traveled abroad to get acquainted with Agrexco operations. Agrexco is owned by the farmers union and Tnuva, and the finance committee is debating a number of issues that impact the company, such as the privatization of government companies, levies on agricultural migrant labor and aid to the farm sector. Advertisement The trip cost the company $6,800, of which $4,388 covered expenses for the two parliamentarians. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Graphic footage Israel posts clips on YouTube of Jerusalem yeshiva terror attack. Remembering Gaza Knesset approves bill to commemorate the Jewish settlements of Gush Katif.

Today Online Israel posts clips on YouTube of Jerusalem yeshiva terror attack Responses: 46 Rights group: Deaths in IDF W. Bank raid were apparent executions Responses: 217 Top rabbis: Harvesting organs of the brain dead is `bloodshed` Responses: 64 Defense officials: Hezbollah rockets can reach almost all of Israel Responses: 205 Rosner's Domain New pro-Israel-pro-peace dovish lobby ready to launch (WTR) Bush is still determined not to repeat Clinton's mistakes Poll: what percentage Jews will vote McCain? Obama rejects advisor's comments on American Jews and peace process Kurtzer: The pro-Israel lobby, not obstacle for peace More Headlines 01:57 Hamas smuggles Iranian blueprints into Strip for Qassam upgrades 01:15 Rice will discuss final-status talks during Mideast visit 01:30 Dutch MP's anti-Islam film highlights anti-Jewish preaching 01:50 Bulgaria accepts blame for deaths of 11,000 Jews in Shoah 06:28 Arab FMs re-endorse 2002 Saudi peace initiative 06:37 ANALYSIS: Isolating Syria serves to highlight its importance 06:30 Scientists find prescription drugs in water used for irrigation 01:29 Lieberman stripped of attorney-client privilege in bribery probe 01:37 Israeli ties to win top prize in prestigious Rubinstein competition 23:08 Druze colonel appointed to be president's next military secretary 20:29 Treasury official: Economically, Israel is a bi-national state 00:31 Tel Aviv goes dark as part of global 'Earth Hour' campaign 21:10 Ex-High Court chief: State must bring all Ethiopian Jews to Israel Previous Editions Select Day 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 14 mar

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