Watchdog slams Israel PM over free air tickets

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came under criticism in an Israeli state audit on Tuesday over free air tickets that he and his family received for travel abroad when he was finance minister more than a decade ago.

Mr Netanyahu, through his lawyers, has denied any wrongdoing, and it was not immediately clear whether Israel’s attorney-general, who is also examining the issue, would launch any criminal investigation.

The findings by state comptroller Joseph Shapira, detailing air and hotel payments made by “foreign entities”, most prominently the US-based Israel Bonds, marked the latest chapter in what Israeli media have dubbed the “Bibi Tours” affair. Mr Netanyahu’s attorneys said the travel involved appearances at fund-raising events for Israel in which — as the comptroller’s report noted — host organisations abroad would pay for their guests’ expenses.

“The trips by Netanyahu and his family that were funded by external sources when he was finance minister deviated from the rules, and could give the impression of receiving a gift or of a conflict of interest,” the report said.