Israeli Opposition Leader Isaac Herzog Cleared in 2013 Donation Scandal

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By Josefin Dolsten September 1, 2016

— Israeli police cleared opposition leader Isaac Herzog of suspicions of fraud, after questions arose about a contribution made to his successful campaign in the 2013 Labor Party primaries.

The Zionist Union head was not aware of the illicit donation, which was not reported by the party, the police found. The contribution helped fund a smear campaign against Herzog’s opponent in the race, Labor MK Shelly Yachimovich.

While the donation is still under investigation, the National Fraud Unit will not suggest an indictment against Herzog, according to a statement by police spokesperson.

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who requested the investigation, and Tel Aviv’s prosecutor’s office are expected to make a formal declaration of the decision, according to The Times of Israel.

The investigation was announced in March, but started months earlier, the Jerusalem Post reported.

In April, Herzog said that he asked to come in and give his statement to the police “in order to put the matter behind me as soon as possible.”

The Zionist Union is made up of Labor and the Hatnua party led by Tzipi Livni, a former foreign minister.

Josefin Dolsten is a New York-based writer who has reported for the Forward, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, The Times of Israel and other Jewish publications. She currently works as an account director at Fenton Communications, supporting organizations that work to advance racial justice, LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive rights and more. Dolsten earned her B.A. in government from Cornell University and her M.A. in comparative religion and Jewish studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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