Israel Prime Minister's wife may have violated lockdown with haircut

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife may have violated country's coronavirus lockdown by inviting a hairdresser into official residence last week to prepare her for a public service video vocating wearing of masks.

Yediot Ahrot newspaper reported that Sara Netanyahu h a hairdresser visit on eve of festive Sukkot holiday. Hair salons and barber shops are closed as part of a nationwide lockdown imposed last month, and people have been ordered to remain within 1,000 meters (yards) of home except for essential activities.

Netanyahus have long been criticized for enjoying a lavish lifestyle out of reach of most Israelis. Sara has been fined thousands of dollars over years for using public money for her own extravagant tastes and for abusive behaviour toward her personal staff.

An official statement released in response to news report said Sara was strictly abiding by all coronavirus regulations, including sheltering at home and enforcing wearing of masks at official residence.

As a public figure making an informational video, she believed she was entitled to employ services of hairstylist, statement said. It ded that y both wore masks and gloves during appointment and that she asked stylist to refrain from making conversation.

newspaper said that while prime minister is entitled to such services as a public servant, his wife is t. An ordinary Israeli would pay a 500-shekel ($150) fine for violating restriction.

prime minister has been target of mass demonstrations in recent months, with protesters calling on him to step down while he is on trial for corruption and criticizing his response to coronavirus. Israelis have also expressed anger about a number of recent instances in which senior officials and ir family members violated lockdown orders.

In June 2019, a court-ordered Sara to pay a fine of more than $15,000 for misusing state funds after she was accused of misusing some $100,000 in state money on lavish meals. In 2016, a court ruled that she h mistreated a housecleaner and awarded man $42,000 in dams. Or employees have also accused her of abuse.

Netanyahus have rejected all allegations against m. Both say y have been target of a “witch hunt” by hostile media and law enforcement.

(Im: AP)

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