The Hayamin Hehadasha party, led by Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked, issued an official announcement this afternoon responding to claims its founders left the Jewish Home party with sizable debts.
"Statements that Bennett and Shaked left Jewish Home with financial obligations are the exact opposite of reality," the party statement said.
In response to claims heard in Jewish Home since last Saturday night, Hayamin Hehadasha stated, "Even during an election, it's worthwhile to stick to the facts. In 2012, when Ministers Bennett and Shaked joined the Jewish Home party, the party's debt stood at NIS 40 million. In recent years the debt has been reduced significantly to less than NIS 20 million.
"These are huge debts accumulated by the party over the decades, and were reduced by Ministers Bennett and Shaked, together with Director Nir Orbach, while they breathed life into the party, placed it at the forefront of the leadership of the State of Israel, and brought it to both the number of votes and government positions that the party never held," the statement said.
"Therefore, Bennett and Shaked left Jewish Home in a far better position than when they joined, and before establishing Hayamin Hehadasha party held a series of meetings with the aim of transferring party leadership in a orderly process into faithful hands."
Hayamin Hehadasha party added, "Moreover, financing the party's current elections remained entirely in Jewish Home hands. Therefore MK Chaim Avidor, the Knesset's accountant general, said in a hearing held yesterday in committee that Jewish Home's financial situation is not affected by Hayamin Hehadasha's establishment."