Yitzhak Herzog
Yitzhak HerzogHadas Parush/Flash 90

Police have passed on their investigative findings to the state prosecutors who are handling the case against opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog (Zionist Union).

Herzog is suspected of taking illegal donations, which weren't properly reported, during the 2013 Labour Party primaries.

The investigation was opened following allegations concerning the financing of a smear campaign against MK Shelly Yachimovich, who ran against Herzog. The campaign was funded by donations which were not properly reported in the election reports, which constitutes an illegal contribution.

After the Attorney General gave the green light, Herzog was investigated for accepting unreported donations.

The investigation was conducted by The Tel Aviv District Attorney (Criminal).

The Deputy State Attorney (Special Assignment), and the Attorney General, were informed of his findings throughout the investigation, as well as the ramifications thereof.

The investigation found that during the Labour Party primaries of 2013, the owner of a private company donated 40,000 shekels to run a smear campaign against Yachimovich.

In his elections donations affidavit, though, which was signed by Herzog himself, the illegal donation was not reported at all.

Fundraising for the campaign is suspected to have been carried out by senior members of Herzog's election campaign.

Police say the findings of the investigation did not produce sufficient evidence of Herzog's knowledge of the donation, and would not stand in court. They recommend prosecutors close the case against the opposition leader.

However, police did gather enough evidence to prosecute for falsifying official documents, the receipt of illegal donations by senior election headquarters, and committing the offense of taking donations from a private company.

With the end of the investigation, Israel Police submitted the findings and materials to the Tel Aviv District Attorney (Criminal), for review and consideration.

Herzog's office responded that "Opposition leader MK Herzog received the notice from the police, and he now expects a quick decision from the Attorney General on the matter."