Critics: Netanyahu Having Both Facebook Page And Twitter Profile A Conflict Of Interest

“It looks more and more as if Bibi is using his Facebook following to bolster the messaging and following he cultivates on Twitter and vice versa.”

Jerusalem, November 23 – Political opponents of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu have asked the State Comptroller to investigate the premier’s use of two competing social media platforms, claiming that a presence on both Facebook and its rival Twitter constitutes a forbidden conflict of interest, in violation of ethics and possibly criminal law.

Zionist Union MK Tzipi Livni called on the Comptroller today to open an investigation, saying that the suspicious use of two social networks instead of one raises concerns that the principle of open competition to choose the provider of government services has been compromised.

“Under proper procedures there should have been a free and open tender system in which multiple social networks compete for the privilege, and there is real oversight,” she argued. “But here, the prime minister himself, or some of his cronies, simply chose two social networks, and spend time and energy on both,when everyone knows a single one is sufficient. It looks more and more as if Bibi is using his Facebook following to bolster the messaging and following he cultivates on Twitter and vice versa.”

Such benefit, explained Voice of Israel legal analyst Moshe Negbi, is not in itself a violation, but the manner in which it is pursued might overstep boundaries. “It looks shady, I agree,” he opined on air this morning.  “And that’s why Livni’s call for an investigation makes sense. At the very least, the public has the right to know how and why the government’s Legal Adviser approved the use of both Facebook and Twitter, if in fact he was even consulted.”

Negbi noted that in addition to conflict of interest concerns, the behavior raises questions over what social networks were excluded from consideration in violation of proper procedure. “I would urge the comptroller to expand his inquiry to include not just the prime minister’s Facebook-Twitter conflict of interest, but to look into why, for example, Google+, which is a perfectly serviceable social network, did not make the final cut. Speaking from personal experience, I know it’s a wonderful venue for low-key, sober interaction with people who similarly appreciate not having anyone else around, and it would offer certain advantages over both Facebook and Twitter in that respect. I use it all the time. Well, once or twice a month.” He also suggested examination of MySpace as an alternative.

“All the cool people are using MySpace now,” he added. “It’s the latest thing.”

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