Nissan Slomiansky
Nissan SlomianskyFlash 90

MK Nissan Slomiansky (Bayit Yehudi) denied on Monday reports in the Israeli media that he had “bought votes” in his party’s primaries several months ago.

The Yediot Aharonot daily reported on Monday morning that Israeli police were investigating allegations that an unnamed MK had paid money in exchange for votes in his party’s primaries.

The report indicated that the police had received recordings, made by a private investigator, in which a vote contractor admits that the MK gave him cigarette packages containing large amounts of money.

By Monday evening, all Israeli media outlets had named the MK as Slomiansky, claiming that the private investigator had been hired by Bayit Yehudi chairman Naftali Bennett to investigate irregularities in the party’s primaries.

The reports noted that the vote contractor who was recorded changed his story several times during questioning by the police, at one point saying he made up the story about receiving the cigarette packages.

MK Slomiansky denied all the allegations against him on Monday evening, telling Channel 2 News, “It’s all lies. I have been in the public system for decades and have never been tainted with any wrongdoing, and suddenly all these hallucinatory rumors are spread.”

Slomiansky said that he believes the accusations have surfaced now because this is "a time when the coalition is being formed and there are certain positions that people desire. The ground is buzzing with rumors and gossip.”

"I have no agreement with this or that person," emphasized Slomiansky, adding he does not believe Bennett was behind the story, as was reported in the media. “I have not been summoned for questioning, and this is all completely unrealistic.”

A close associate of Slomianky's told Arutz Sheva on Monday that he believed the allegations were made public by elements who wish to prevent Slomiansky from being appointed to a ministerial position in the next government.

“This is a recycling of old allegations against Slomiansky. These claims arose now in an attempt to torpedo his appointment as a minister in the next government, if his party enters the coalition,” said the associate, noting that the witness in the case recanted and claimed that he boasted in vain that he had received money from Slomiansky.

“How can you base your suspicions on a person who changed his mind it and hurt a Knesset member who is untainted and experienced?”  he wondered.