Likud Party Figures Detained in Tax-Fraud Probe

Israel Police’s Lahav 433 major-crimes unit detained former Knesset member Michael Kleiner, Likud activist and convicted-bribery contractor David Appel, and siblings Yaffa and Yitzhak Dayan earlier this week. Police allege the four concealed tens of millions of shekels in real-estate assets from tax authorities, despite Appel’s bankruptcy filing in 2012. Officers seized “much property” and will keep it confiscated throughout the investigation.

Times of IsraelTimes of Israel

Kleiner, who served intermittently in the Knesset from 1982 to 2003, is president of the Likud party’s internal Supreme Court. In recent months the tribunal he leads has issued rulings that limit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ability to cancel party primaries or grant himself greater control over the candidate list. The court rejected a proposal to cancel the upcoming primary and upheld a decision that forces sitting MKs, ministers and deputy ministers to compete for non-reserved slots on the list. These internal disputes have unfolded alongside a series of investigations into Likud figures, including immunity granted to MK Tally Gotliv after an indictment and indictments of senior adviser Jonatan Urich and Social Equality Minister May Golan.

Times of Israel

A Likud spokesperson declined to comment on whether the allegations against Kleiner affect the party’s perception of the tribunal’s rulings. Police described the investigation as suggesting “systematic” concealment of assets and noted the ongoing confiscation of property.

Times of Israel

The Likud primary is scheduled for August 17, and the party’s expanded slate-control vote will affect the upcoming Knesset election slated for October 27. Police have also completed an investigation into Energy Minister Eli Cohen, referring his case to the State Attorney’s Office for possible prosecution.

Times of Israel