Among the "Arutz-7 Ten" sentenced this week to fines of between 20,000 and 50,000 shekels, as well as community service and/or suspended sentences, was News Director Haggai Segal. He received a six-month suspended sentence and a fine of 30,000 shekels. Writing in B'Sheva this week, Segal raised an interesting question:
"Three weeks ago, the Israel Media Watch organization awarded me its annual Abramowitz Israeli Media Criticism Prize. A courteous Income Tax clerk informed me that the prize is not tax-exempt, as it was granted me in the course of my normal work. I would therefore like to know if I may list the fine levied upon me this week in the Jerusalem Magistrates Court as a recognized expense. After all, it too stemmed from the course of my normal work."
"Three weeks ago, the Israel Media Watch organization awarded me its annual Abramowitz Israeli Media Criticism Prize. A courteous Income Tax clerk informed me that the prize is not tax-exempt, as it was granted me in the course of my normal work. I would therefore like to know if I may list the fine levied upon me this week in the Jerusalem Magistrates Court as a recognized expense. After all, it too stemmed from the course of my normal work."