Attorney-General expected to notify Sara Netanyahu of intent to indict today

Recent days have seen drama between Sara Netanyahu and one of her arch-accusers, former house manager, Meni Naftali.

By YONAH JEREMY BOB
Updated: SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 09:27
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara (L) (photo credit: REUTERS)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara (L)
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit is expected to notify Sara Netanyahu that he intends to indict her on Friday in the Prime Minister’s Residence Affairs.
Sources close to the case indicated to The Jerusalem Post late on Thursday night that the indictment was imminent, pending a possible hearing.
Mandelblit’s office told the High Court of Justice on August 23 that he will decide Sara Netanyahu’s fate in the various criminal cases against her in the very near future.
In May 2016, the police recommended indicting Mrs. Netanyahu on fraud and breach of trust charges related to using public funds for buying food, paying special chefs, related costs for hosting private events and taking care of her father and transferring publicly paid for furniture to a private residence.
A statement issued Thursday night on behalf of the Netanyahu family said, “The allegations against the wife of the prime minister are absurd and will be proved to be unfounded. Sara Netanyahu is a strong and honorable woman and there has never been any fault in her actions.
"The steep increases in the prime minister residence’s expenditure result from transfers carried out by problematic house manager Meni Naftali - state witness, criminal and serial liar.
"Not only did the prime minister’s wife not commit any offense, but the preoccupation with the food of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – who works around the clock for the state and its security – and with the food of his family, is a pathetic and obsessive one.
""For how much longer will this obsessive involvement with the Netanyahu family continue?"
Recent days have seen drama between Netanyahu and one of her arch-accusers, former house manager, Meni Naftali.
Naftali is expected to testify on behalf of the state against Netanyahu on a range of issues and has become active in protests encouraging Mandelblit to indict both Sara and the prime minister.
The Netanyahus in return have attacked Naftali’s credibility, including a deal he cut with police that he would only tell them what he knew about allegations about Mrs. Netanyahu if he received immunity from any allegations against him.