Photos: Shutterstock

I

srael’s latest investigation of political wrongdoing is being dubbed the “Prepared Food Affair.”

It involves fraud and breach of trust on the part of Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. She is alleged to have ordered NIS 360,000 worth of gourmet food to the prime minister’s residence while there was an official chef on duty.

The indictment by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit describes Sara Netanyahu’s crime in harsh terms, claiming she acted methodically to hide the expenses, and that she “exploited her position as wife of the prime minister.” Former deputy director of the prime minister’s residence Ezra Saidoff, who allegedly schemed with Sara Netanyahu, was also indicted.

Sara Netanyahu’s attorney described the indictment — which covers a time period between September 2010 and March 2013 — as “ridiculous and bizarre.”

If found guilty, Israel’s first lady could see jail time. Former prime minister Ehud Olmert was convicted in the Envelopes Affair (money he received under the table from businessman Moshe Talansky) on the exact same charges: fraud and breach of trust. Olmert received from Talansky a total sum of some $100,000 — almost the same as the amount in state funds that Sara Netanyahu allegedly misused, NIS 360,000.

The High Court sentenced Olmert to eight months in prison, in addition to paying a fine of NIS 100,000. The prime minister’s office reportedly tried for months to work out a plea deal with Mandelblit that involved paying back some of the money and acknowledging guilt, which the attorney general rejected. (Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 716)