New Report Blasts Netanyahu for “Bibi Tours” Affair

State Comptroller Joseph Shapira had harsh criticism for Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and some of his advisors in a report issued today. The report focuses on possible allegations that Netanyahu double-billed two organizations for flights and that he used public frequent-flyer miles for personal use. The report focuses on the period when Netanyahu was finance minister from 2003 – 2005. Israel’s former Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein closed as initial probe into the issue in 2014 without a full investigation. In the report, Shapira criticized that decision and accused Weinstein of stalling so that the statute of limitations will take effect. It is unclear whether Shapira’s criticism will lead to any kind of new criminal investigation. Netanyahu has repeatedly denied the allegations amount to anything. Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is currently serving a 19-month prison term after being convicted of bribery and obstruction of justice, faced similar charges of double-billing.