Netanyahu's Gifts

Police seized dozens of valuables from the home of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday in an attempt to recover items he allegedly took with him when he left office.

In a statement, police said the items included pictures and utensils made of gold and silver, which they found while searching his apartment, office and a storage room. The statement did not say whether the pictures were works of art or photographs, or whether the items were official gifts he was given while in office.

According to Israeli law, gifts received by a prime minister are property of the state.

Police said the searches were connected to an investigation into allegations that Netanyahu accepted illegal favors from a contractor while in office. In that case, Netanyahu and his wife, Sarah, were questioned for more than seven hours one day last month.

Asked by a reporter what he had to say about the seizures, Netanyahu replied angrily, Â"What would you say?Â" He has said the investigation is politically motivated.

Mrs. Netanyahu was in the apartment when three investigators came in and searched while 20 police stood outside. Netanyahu arrived several hours later, and police were still there.

The Netanyahus have been interrogated in the past about a bill for $100,000 submitted by a contractor, Avner Amedi, for work he did for the couple while Netanyahu was prime minister.

Much of Amedi's work was at Netanyahu's private home. An Israeli newspaper, Yediot Ahronot, reported that Amedi polished the floors weekly, though the Netanyahu family was living in the official prime minister's residence at the time.

Amedi submitted bills for moving furniture from the apartment. Neighbors told Yediot that the street in front of the building was closed one night while movers hauled an ancient double bed out the window of Netanyahu's apartment.

Because Amedi was never paid, police suspect he was expecting to receive some sort of improper payment. He later submitted the bill to the prime minister's office after Netanyahu lost the Israeli election in May.

Israel's Army Radio reported later Wednesday that Amedi made an agreement with police in which he would admit to bribery but not serve jail time.

Several other former officials from Netanyahu's office also have been questioned in the affair, but no charges have been brought.

Police warned Netanyahu and his wife earlier that they might be charged with criminal offenses in the case. Wednesday's statement was the first indicating police suspicion that the couple also took presents home illegally.

Written by Mark Lavie
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