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Finance Minister Avraham Hirchson (photo: Kadima website)
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| By israelinsider staff March 25, 2007 |
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Despite suspicions that Finance Minister Avraham Hirchson embezzled millions of shekels from non-profit organizations, new documents released last weekend may prove Hirchson innocent.
There is no question that very large sums of money were deposited into the minister's account, however it is possible that Hirchson will be able to provide reasonable explanations if he is called to do so.
According to the documents released over the weekend Hirchson did not steal funds, but merely gave cash to March of the Living representatives to cover their expenses abroad, The Jerusalem Post reported. (March of the Living is an annual event that takes place on Holocaust Memorial Day that brings Jewish youth to the concentration camps of Nazi Europe and then to Israel). The report also claims that the cash transfer had been recorded as required by law. It is still unclear how the recipients spent the money.
Thursday's investigation of Ovadia Cohen, the former head of Nili, a Jewish youth organization, revealed that Hirchson had received envelopes full of cash on a visit abroad, as well as similar envelopes that were delivered directly to his home.
The investigators will demand explanations for the large deposits into Hirchson's bank account during his interrogation.
Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz is will determine on Wednesday whether the evidence against the finance minister necessitates his suspension.
Hirchson is expected to decide whether or not to resign later this week, after another police interrogation. He will not wait for Attorney General Mazuz's decision this Wednesday, but will resign immediately if he feels the situation calls for it, Haaretz reported.
Kadima, Hirchson's party, has not asked the minister to resign, but, according to Haaretz, they believe he will need to since being investigated for crimes involving embezzlement would prevent him from fulfilling his role as the man responsible for Israel's economy. Sources close to Prime Minister Olmert report that he would not want to ask the minister he appointed to resign, but would expect Hirchson to take that step alone. |
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