Binyamin Ben-Eliezer
Binyamin Ben-EliezerFlash 90

Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein made clear his intentions on Sunday to indict former minister and Labor party chairman Binyamin (Fuad) Ben-Eliezer on bribery-related charges.

Ben-Eliezer is suspected of receiving large sums of money when he was Minister of Infrastructure in 2006. The money was given to him to approve projects for large businesses that “donated” money to him. 

He is also accused of money laundering, allegedly hiding millions of shekels in relatives’ bank accounts.

Weinstein made the decision to indict despite attempts from Ben-Eliezer's representatives to push for an agreement that would forego filing an indictment because of the former politician's poor medical state

Instead, the Attorney General chose to accept a months-old prosecutorial recommendation for indictment, following an investigation that began during the 2014 presidential race. 

Ben-Eliezer, a candidate in that race, was forced to resign after allegations against him surfaced. 

The former minister, who served in the Knesset with various parties for 30 years until 2014, will be charged with accepting bribes, fraud, breach of trust, and money laundering.

Even before an indictment against him is filed, Ben-Eliezer will be summoned to a hearing to discuss the charges.