Opposition MK Slams Benny Gantz Over Election Campaign Spending

MK Yulia Malinovsky of the Yisrael Beiteinu party has sharply criticized Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity party, for his decision to continue running in the upcoming elections despite his party's low polling numbers. Malinovsky alleged on her X account that Gantz is poised to waste approximately 15 million shekels of public funds on a campaign she believes has no chance of success.

Malinovsky stated that Gantz and "anyone with eyes to see" are aware of the polls, which indicate that National Unity is unlikely to pass the electoral threshold. She accused him of spending public money on advertising and public relations out of "personal whims and ego."

She further elaborated on her criticism, suggesting that while not criminal, the situation represents a form of "public laundering." Malinovsky believes that "many interested parties" stand to profit from the millions Gantz is distributing from taxpayer money, calling the situation "terribly smelly."

In response, National Unity issued a statement asserting their intention to form a "broad and Zionist government" and accused Yisrael Beiteinu of corruption. They claimed that Yisrael Beiteinu is the "most corrupt party in Israel's history" and that its leader, Avigdor Lieberman, previously pushed for a government supported by Arab parties, a plan they allege is still in motion. National Unity also dismissed Malinovsky's financial claims, referencing past investigations and imprisonments of senior Yisrael Beiteinu officials.