Israeli leader under fire for costly lifestyle
Source: AP
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s prime minister is under fire for a costly lifestyle at taxpayers’ expense, just as his government is slashing welfare benefits and raising taxes to cope with a huge budget deficit.
Israeli media took aim Tuesday at a disclosure that Benjamin Netanyahu’s expenses have soared nearly 80 percent since he took office in 2009, totaling about $905,000 last year. Netanyahu and his family split their time among three homes, including an official Jerusalem residence, a private apartment in Jerusalem and a villa in the upscale coastal town of Caesarea.
Netanyahu’s spending on catering, housekeeping, cleaning, furniture, clothing and makeup all doubled during the four-year period. The information was released only after a civil liberties group filed a freedom of information request.
The disclosure followed a TV station’s report that Netanyahu spent $127,000 in public funds for a special sleeping cabin on a recent five-hour flight to London.
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Read more: http://www.salon.com/2013/05/14/israeli_leader_under_fire_for_costly_lifestyle/
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