Following support for Eisenkot: Almog Cohen demands suspension of KKL Chairman
Deputy Minister Almog Cohen has appealed to the Central Elections Committee, claiming that KKL Chairman Eyal Ostrinsky used the organization's resources for political propaganda. Ostrinsky rejected the allegations, clarifying that his statements were made on personal accounts and asserting his right to express political views.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, MK Almog Cohen, sent an urgent letter today (Thursday) to the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, demanding an order for the immediate suspension of the Chairman of the Jewish National Fund (KKL), Eyal Ostrinsky, from his position without pay until election day, alleging "propaganda on official KKL accounts."
In his letter, Deputy Minister Cohen notes that he has information regarding political activity that Ostrinsky is conducting to promote the candidacy of Gadi Eisenkot for the upcoming elections. According to the claims, the activity includes publishing political messages on official KKL digital channels while using his status and the organization's symbols, and exploiting his role as the head of a public body with vast budgets.
"Ostrinsky is conducting public political activity, including support and a call for the promotion of Mr. Gadi Eisenkot for the upcoming elections... while using his status and the organization's symbols, and exploiting his role as the head of an organization with significant budgets," wrote Cohen, who bases his demand on sections of the Knesset Elections Law (1969). The law explicitly states that an employee of the Jewish National Fund who has administrative authority or a position involving contact with the public shall not take part in election propaganda, and unequivocally prohibits the use of resources, symbols, and the status of a public body for the benefit of promoting a candidate or party.
In Ostrinsky's circle, they reject the claims, arguing that he is a public representative heading a board of directors and that he has a clear and known political affiliation. They added that his appointment is the result of written agreements with the Likud party, and that Ostrinsky can express himself politically as he does not hold an administrative position in KKL.
Ostrinsky himself reaffirmed his support for Gadi Eisenkot for Prime Minister:
"Yesterday I learned through messages distributed in WhatsApp groups that the Likud party sent me a demand to remove the post supporting Gadi Eisenkot, based on the ridiculous claim that I, as Chairman of KKL, serve as an administrative official in the civil service and am therefore prevented from expressing political views."
Ostrinsky also wrote on his Facebook account:
"I emphasize that the post was published on my personal channels only and not on any KKL platform funded by public money. Unlike previous KKL chairmen, I do not operate a public Facebook page funded by the organization. I am a political person, and that did not change yesterday and will not change today."
