From The JPost, March 25, 2008, by Isi Leibler:
The Israeli media have reported ad nauseam Binyamin Netanyahu's so-called binge in London during the Second Lebanon War.... for sins he never committed....
....The story was initially broken by TV journalist Raviv Druker of Channel 10, who ....accused him of having lived it up like a fat cat while fellow Israelis were undergoing a war. Most of the Hebrew press jumped gleefully onto the bandwagon, assailing Netanyahu with such epithets as "greedy politician," "King Bibi the First," and a "regular Scrooge."
....The most outrageous aspect of this media offensive against Netanyahu was that far from being a personal luxury jaunt, the visit was in fact a genuine contribution to the welfare of Israel and Anglo-Jewry. Moreover, the journalists trying to discredit him were all aware that Netanyahu did not receive any remuneration or personally benefit in any way from the visit. He went once to the theater and his wife used a hairdresser - all of which Netanyahu paid for from his own pocket. The Israeli taxpayer did not contribute a single shekel toward defraying his expenses. Netanyahu was thus fully justified in telling the media: "I acted for the state, not at the expense of the state."
... Joshua Rowe, the Manchester philanthropist who sponsored the visit...informed me that he had appealed to an initially reluctant Netanyahu to come to London in order to respond to the media demonization of Israel during the Second Lebanon War and attempt to raise the spirits of Anglo-Jewry, which was deeply depressed and desperately needed a boost.
Rowe assured me that arrangements for Netanyahu were fully in accordance with former visits by other prominent Israeli personalities. In fact he had happily assigned the Israeli Embassy to take care of all the arrangements for the visit, including selection of the hotels.
Rowe personally covered the bulk of the costs for the visit. He told me that he had also intended to pay Netanyahu's personal expenses, but that Netanyahu adamantly refused and insisted on reimbursing him with a personal cheque for over NIS 12,000.
Those involved in the visit testified that it exceeded all expectations. Netanyahu worked day and night. He had multiple encounters with all segments of the media, including what has been described as a "brilliant" interview with BBC's Hard Talk which was televised worldwide. He raised substantial funds for Israel Bonds and his address to the Jewish community dramatically lifted its self-esteem.
Netanyahu's mission to Britain was recognized as one of the most successful visits of its kind in recent times. Rowe told me: "If it had cost me double or triple the amount, I would still gladly have underwritten the trip."
....Whatever deficiencies and errors in judgment Netanyahu made as a prime minister, he did succeed in reducing terrorism to the lowest level and was the first to demand reciprocity in return for concessions to the Palestinians. And few will deny that he subsequently proved to have been an outstanding finance minister.
Today, given the broad contempt toward Olmert's government, Netanyahu is clearly emerging as the frontrunner, and he may well be granted a second opportunity to show his mettle as a prime minister.
It is utterly unethical for a clique of journalists to divert attention from the real issues confronting the nation by indulging in the systematic defamation of a man who does not find favor in their eyes or those of their employers. In these very difficult times, instead of indulging in sleazy efforts to personally discredit the leader of the opposition, the media has an obligation to convey, analyze and either praise or criticize the policies Netanyahu has undertaken to implement if elected as prime minister. It will then rest with the people to determine whether or not they will support him.
...also see the following, from The Australian, March 18, 2008, by AP:
Netanyahu sues TV station for libel
JERUSALEM: Former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu filed a libel suit against a television channel for broadcasting what it claimed was an astronomic tab he ran up during a trip to London while the country was at war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Channel 10 report claimed Mr Netanyahu spent more than $US50,000 ($53,000) during the six-day public relations tour during Israel's war against the Shia guerillas in the northern summer of 2006. Staying with his wife at one of London's best hotels, the Connaught, Mr Netanyahu's tab included first-class airfare, bar bills, meals, dry-cleaning and $US3170 for theatre tickets, the report said.
The report portrayed Mr Netanyahu, Israel's opposition leader and the frontrunner in national polls for the country's top job, and his wife, Sarah, as spendthrifts living luxuriously while the country was at war. The report also alleged some of the money came from a wealthy supporter, which could be an ethics violation.
Mr Netanyahu said the report was inaccurate and politically motivated. He had his lawyers file a lawsuit in Tel Aviv demanding 2million shekels ($620,000) in damages from the station.
"I paid for my personal expenses out of my own pocket," Mr Netanyahu said.
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