OCCUPIED JERUSALEM — With Israeli elections looming and the region in turmoil, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu found himself once more enmeshed in a gossipy scandal on Tuesday: a new government report alleged possible financial malfeasance at his official residence, while his wife faced criticism for pettiness and possible security breaches after complaining about their kitchen in a video. The uproar jolted an election campaign in which Netanyahu's opponents have tried to portray him as enjoying a lavish lifestyle and being out of touch with the struggles of average Israelis. Netanyahu's allies angrily dismissed the allegations as part of a campaign to deflect attention from important national security issues. In its report released Tuesday, the state comptroller, an official watchdog, cited large sums of public money spent on food, furniture, cleaning and gardening at the couple's official residence in Jerusalem and their private home in the exclusive coastal city of Caesarea. Cleaning expenses in that home alone averaged more than $2,100 a month in taxpayer's money, according to the report, even though the couple only spent the occasional weekend there. It also said they pocketed proceeds from recycling bottles that had been purchased for entertaining official guests. It said the bottle returns, and purchases of garden furniture for their private home, may have violated the law. The Netanyahus are no strangers to such scrutiny. The prime minister has long been saddled with an image as a cigar-smoking socialite, while his wife has come under fire for her own expensive tastes and alleged abusive behavior toward staff. The Netanyahus accuse the Israeli media of a longstanding witchhunt against them. In a statement, Netanyahu said he respected the findings of the comptroller and pledged to implement recommendations to curb wasteful spending. At the same time he lashed out at the "ongoing media campaign" that he said is aimed at toppling him. "There is absolutely no indication of any assault on the public's integrity and certainly no indication of any criminal transgressions," he said. Over the years, reports have been released about the high cost of the Netanyahus' catering, housekeeping, furniture, clothing and makeup. In one case, the premier was chided for spending $127,000 in public funds for a special sleeping cabin on a flight to London. Even their costly purchases of scented candles and pistachio-flavored ice cream have been derided. — AP
