Michael Kleiner, president of the Likud party court, denied all suspicions against him in a police investigation conducted two days ago, according to a statement he issued. He said he respects the law and believes authorities will reach the correct conclusions. Regarding claims that the investigation's timing was linked to upcoming party decisions, Kleiner said he was investigated on the same matters in 2023 and declined to engage with the polemic.
Likud party court president Michael Kleiner denied all suspicions against him in a statement issued today, rejecting allegations that he helped businessman Dudi Appel conceal substantial assets. Kleiner said he respects the law and trusts authorities will reach the correct conclusions. He disclosed that he had already been questioned on the same matters in 2023 and dismissed claims that the timing of the current investigation was politically motivated.
The police investigation first came to light earlier Wednesday, when Channel 12's Amit Segal reported that Kleiner was the suspect in the case. By 07:58 Jerusalem, multiple Israeli news outlets — including N12, i24NEWS, and Channel 14 — had identified Kleiner, Appel, and brothers Yafe and Yitzhak Dayan as suspects in an economic probe involving real estate rights and asset concealment worth millions of shekels. The gag order was lifted at that time, allowing publication of the names. The investigation is being conducted by the Lahav 433 police unit.
The timing of the investigation has drawn attention within the Likud party. On Monday, The Zioneer reported that senior Likud officials claimed the timing was linked to dramatic decisions expected at the party court, including a possible ruling on canceling primaries. Kleiner, as president of the party court, oversees such matters. The Zioneer also reported on July 29 that Kleiner had described the upcoming primaries as a 'democratic celebration' and rejected claims of internal chaos.
Kleiner's statement does not address the specific allegations of asset concealment, nor does it provide details on the 2023 questioning. The investigation by Lahav 433 continues, and no charges have been filed.
8 developments
- StrongLikud court president: 'No chaos, primaries will be a democratic celebration'
- StrongLikud Party Court Rules Against Canceling Primaries: 'We Are Not a One-Man Party'
- DevelopingLikud Forms Special Committee to Address Petitions Against Conference Results
- StrongSenior Likud officials claim investigation timing linked to dramatic decisions expected today
Source and signal
- Open-source intake