Living Large: Police Question Netanyahu’s Wife Over Extravagant Expenses

The spouse of the Israeli leader answered questions from police about her private household expenses after a series of reports claimed she was wasting state funds in support of her luxury lifestyle.

Today: Sara Netanyahu will be questioned under caution https://t.co/ePIJzSYfUv pic.twitter.com/FPTnk3cYCm

— JerusalemOnline (@JOL_NEWS) December 31, 2015

​According to Israeli media, Sara Netanyahu answered questions by law enforcement Thursday on directing state funds to purchase new furniture and pay for maintenance on a pricey villa in the high-class coastal city of Caesarea. Reuters suggested that Netanyahu’s wife might have been asked whether she used state money to pay for the nursing care of her elderly father.

The probe was launched in the wake of a report by the state official watchdog that revealed the couple had improperly spent huge sums of public money.

The report followed last week’s publications by local media saying that the Netanyahu family demanded the state cover their expenses for food for their dog Kaiya, that they got as a Hanukkah present earlier last month.

Rumors that the Netanyahus live beyond their means have been circulating in the media. Sara Netanyahu has been widely criticized for her reported abusive attitude toward personnel as well as for her love for expensive luxury.

Benjamin Netanyahu declined accusations and argued that his family has become a victim of a media witch-hunt initiated by political rivals.

In the 1990s Sara Netanyahu was spotlighted by the media during her husband's first term in the office over several accusations. She was reportedly punching her staff, and interfering in state affairs. One of the highlights of the case documented Mrs. Netanyahu firing a nanny for a burned pot of soup and hurling a shoe in her assistant.

The accusations continued as Netanyahu re-entered office in 2009. Sara Netanyahu’s former house-keeper turned to the court after her employer reportedly withheld wages, used strong language and made staff work under unfair conditions.

In another instance, Sara Netanyahu filed a lawsuit against an Israeli newspaper for "maliciously trying to humiliate" her.