Barak Denies Interest in Israel Military Industries

YERUSHALAYIM

Former Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak denied on Monday media reports that he is seeking ownership of Israel Military Industries (IMI), which is set for privatization, Globes reported.

“I’ve been abroad for a few weeks, and I saw the reports about this with great surprise,” Barak said.

“I have not now, or ever, any intention of acquiring IMI. There is no basis to these reports. I took the decision never to be involved in any of the defense companies that I had relations with during my tenure as defense minister, as part of the mandated cooling-off period for public servants.”

Barak also quashed reports that Ira Rennert was joining him in the move to acquire IMI. “I am astonished that none of the parties which published this report asked me about it. I know Rennert well; he has done a great deal for Israel, but I have no business relations with him.”

On Sunday, EA Investment Banking CEO Eldad Avraham asked the ministerial privatization committee, which is chaired by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, to prevent Barak from participating in the IMI tender.

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