Conflict of Interest to be Raised.

On February 8th, 2005, the Knesset Ethics Committee will hold a hearing to discuss the issue of Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres’s investments in the Palestinian Authority, as previously revealed by David Bedein on this site.

If those investments are indeed confirmed, this would present a situation of an illegal conflict of interests and pose a legal challenge to Peres’s appointment.

Shimon Peres was summoned three weeks ago to appear at the hearing. There is no indication as to whether he will attend the hearing.

David Bedein has also been summoned to present the allegations at the hearing. Bedein has confirmed that he will attend the hearing.

The Ethics Committee of the Knesset has decided to proceed with the hearing, with or without the presence of Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres.