A new revelation in the case of the translation of the book by the Prime Minister's wife, Lehi Lapid: "Israel Today" has learned that the conflict of interest agreement signed by Yair Lapid as Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister explicitly warned him against touching on Foreign Ministry of Culture and Science relations.
"The Cultural Diplomacy Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is involved, among other things, in promoting foreign relations, also through the field of Hebrew literature. It will be clarified that as long as an issue related to your mother's or spouse's occupation arises, you will have to refrain from dealing with it."
As far as is known, Lapid or his people were not involved in the institute's decision to translate his wife's book, nor was the Foreign Ministry a partner in the decision, but only Mrs. Lapid and the institute.
However, the agreement states that Lapid was aware of the sensitivity of the connection between his wife's and his mother's literary activities, which is also represented by the institute, and his role as foreign minister, and that he was explicitly warned about such problematic connections.
Lehi Lapid and her book "Foreigners" against the background of the London Book Fair, Photo: Efrat Eshel, GettyImages
"Israel Today" revealed yesterday (Sunday) that the "Israeli Institute of Hebrew Literature" was behind the huge deal to sell the translation rights to the book "Zarot" written by Lehi Lapid, the prime minister's wife, to the international publishing house Harper Collins.
It is one of the largest book publishers in the world.
The institute is a public association established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all of its external budgets come from the government, most of them from the Ministry of Culture, and about a third from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
There are close working ties between the institute, the Culture and Science Relations Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture.
To promote the marketing of the book worldwide, the institute published a new catalog in the spring of 2022. Lapid's book was presented in the first place, out of 22 books, and promoted well-known and respected authors such as Eli Amir, Miron Isaacson and Sami Bardugo.
The institute's promotion efforts were successful, following which the contract was obtained, which is estimated to reach about $ 100,000.
A source close to the details told Israel Today that "even if there was no direct funding from the Foreign Ministry, in the end everything is paid for out of the same pocket. The institute hired people to read the book and write an opinion. "The institute, which is supported by the Foreign Ministry, is the one that worked among international expenses to acquire the translation rights, in a deal that could reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. It may be kosher, but it must stink."
Prime Minister Yair Lapid, in Turkey, last month,
"Everything according to the rules"
Lapid's office responded: "The contract was made according to all the rules and after a thorough legal examination as required. The institute did not pay, nor should it pay, Lapid not a single shekel, and even the translation was done at Lapid's expense. If the book is sold abroad, as in the case This one, so Lapid receives a percentage of what the institute receives from the publisher abroad.
"Lehi Lapid's book 'Zerut' is the third novel she has written, and it quickly became the bestseller in Israel in 2021. The book received great critical acclaim, which led to great interest from various translation agencies. In order to get to know and promote Hebrew literature to readers around the world through the translation of Israeli works into many languages. "
MK Galit Distel Atbrian said in response to the revelation: "Imagine that Sarah Netanyahu was writing a book and that a state-funded institute would close with her a dream deal of translating the book for an astronomical sum and mediated by the Foreign Ministry, while Netanyahu serves as prime minister.
Now you will replace Sarah with Leah Lapid who married the man from the right place.
It turns out that the corruption of the right people is not corruption at all. "
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
If you found an error in the article, we would love for you to share it with us
