The office of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said, Sunday evening, that his upcoming trip to Africa will only cost about 12.5 million shekels (about $3.25 million). The office was responding to media claims of the trip costing NIS 28 million (about $7.28 million). It will include a ceremony to commemorate Monday's 40th anniversary of the rescue of hijacked Israelis and other Jews from Entebbe, Uganda.
A statement by the office said an Export Institute delegation of businessmen will be paying for their travel and lodging without government expense. The statement stressed that it was an important visit by an Israeli prime minister - the first in decades - to strengthen diplomatic, economic and security ties with many countries on the continent.