Israeli police questions opposition leader over primaries graft suspicions

The Israeli police on Sunday questioned opposition leader Isaac Herzog under caution over unlawful campaign donations during his party's 2013 primaries.

A police statement said its Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit questioned Herzog, who was released afterwards.

Police is investigating whether Herzog received unlawful donations during his successful campaign for the Labor Party leadership three years ago. He is also suspected of failing to report donations and providing a false statement.

Herzog confirmed he was questioned. "I have full confidence in the law enforcement agencies and I'm grateful for their fair and respectful conduct," he wrote on his Facebook page. "From the moment that the existence of a probe leaked (...) I requested permission to respond so that I could put the matter behind me," he added.

Local media first reported that the 55-year-old opposition leader was under investigation two weeks ago. The publications halted talks on joining the Labor Party to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition.

Israeli law permits receiving a certain amount of money from each donor. It is alleged that Herzog received funds indirectly from contractors, therefore bypassing the law of the maximum amount each candidate can receive from a single donor.

Herzog denies the allegations, saying the probe is the result of political slander by political opponents, specifically naming political activists from the Netanyahu's Likud party.

Herzog, a lawyer by profession, had another brush with the law in 1999, while he was investigated for his involvement in suspected violations of the elections funding law by then Labor chief Ehud Barak. Herzog maintained his silence during his interrogation and the Attorney General decided to close the case against his involvement due to lack of evidence. Endit