Israel National News reported this morning that former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon receives 1.2 million shekels a year from the State of Israel, in addition to having all his medical and hospital expenses paid for. In addition, the country (the taxpayers) is paying for Sharon's private car and driver, even though he has been comatose and bedridden for 4 years.

The Finance Ministry Accountant-General informed The Ometz organization for Clean Government and Social and Legal Justice, which has questioned the justice of those expenses: “The Prime Minister’s Legal Counsel has informed us that the state of health of the former prime minister [Sharon] does not affect his eligibility for various benefits as set by the Knesset Finance Committee, as long as use is made of these benefits. The Prime Minister’s Bureau pays as follows: a half-time clerk for the purpose of documenting the activities of the former Prime Minister; a car and a driver; and a guard in Tel HaShomer Hospital.”