Jerusalem:Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was embroiled in a controversy over allegations of misappropriating refunds from empty beverage bottles at the Prime Minister's residence.
According to Maan News Agency, the case began between 2009 and 2013 and was publicized in January 2015 by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. It was based on testimony from Meni Naftali, the former director of the Prime Minister's residence, who accused Sara Netanyahu of keeping refund money from returned bottles instead of directing it to the state treasury.
Naftali estimated that 24,000 shekels were collected over four years, but only 4,000 shekels were returned to the Prime Minister's Office in 2013. The discrepancy raised questions about the handling of official purchases and expenditures.
The controversy extended beyond the media, reaching Israeli oversight and investigation institutions. The State Comptroller published a report on the Prime Minister's residence expenses, including the bottle affair. Despite the allegations, no criminal conviction was made against Sara Netanyahu, with investigations concluding insufficient evidence to continue criminal proceedings. The case, however, left a significant impact on the public perception of the Netanyahu family's financial conduct.