14 AMERICANS, ONE SPANISH FUND NETANYAHU’S LIKUD CAMPAIGN

Ankara, 29 Safar 1436/22 December 2014 (MINA) – A report says 14 Americans and one Spanish national have funded a campaign by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to retain his position at the head of the Likud party.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Saturday that Netanyahu has raised nearly 539,000 shekels (over USD 137,000) during the campaign, Press TV quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

“The sum came from 15 donors, all of whom are from overseas. Fourteen are from the United States, while one is from Spain,” it said.

The donors included four members of the Miami-based Falic family and Kenneth Abramowitz, who heads the American Friends of Likud.

The report added that the premier’s rival in Likud, Danny Danon, has received more than 261,000 shekels (more than USD 66,000) from 11 donors. It said that 10 of the donors are living in the United States.

The Likud will hold its primary campaign on December 31, with the winner leading the party into the parliament (Knesset) elections on March 17.

Earlier this month, Netanyahu called for the dissolution of the parliament after sacking Minister of Judicial Affairs Tzipi Livni and Finance Minister Yair Lapid from his coalition.

The two ministers were among the critics of Netanyahu’s policies.

A recent poll showed Netanyahu’s approval rating has halved from 77 percent in August to 38 in December.(T/R04/R03)

 Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)