The winter session of the Knesset will open this coming Monday, and Farah Lerner, the Prime Minister's advisor on legislative and Knesset matters, is scheduled to return to her office in the Knesset and to her routine work.
But the big question is: How will Netanyahu respond to the police investigation being conducted against her and her husband, Avi Lerner, owner of the public relations firm Lerner-Com?.
Some in the Prime Minister's circle believe that the delicate situation should be taken into account and she should be allowed to continue her work as usual until the picture of the investigation becomes clearer.
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On the other hand, there are other sources in the bureau who believe that a situation in which a cloud hangs over the head of a senior employee in such a sensitive office as the Prime Minister's Office is unhealthy, especially since Netanyahu's enemies will probably exploit this fact to incite against him.
The one who should decide on the issue is the Civil Service Commission.
Following the affair, Lerner is being accompanied by public relations man Zamir Dahbash and attorney Dr. Yaakov Weinroth. Weinroth also represents Lerner before the State Commission.
As things stand, Lerner's position as director general of the Ministry of Absorption has not been confirmed, so she plans to continue in her current position in the Prime Minister's Office.
According to the suspicion - we emphasize, only a suspicion at this stage - Lerner exploited her position in the Prime Minister's Office to promote the businesses of her husband, strategist Avi Lerner.
The story begins with a review conducted by the Civil Service Commission to verify Lerner's suitability for the position she was offered - Director General of the Ministry of Absorption, headed by Minister Ze'ev Elkin.
From the findings, it became clear that there is reason to suspect that something unusual occurred in her surroundings, and Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein authorized the police to open an investigation.
During the Sukkot holiday, the Lerners were summoned to Lahav Unit 433 in Lod, where they were questioned under caution for eight hours, on suspicion that Lerner acted to advance matters related to her husband's private business. Among other things, the Lerners' home in Jerusalem and the offices of Avi Lerner's company were searched, and computers and documents were confiscated.
The two were released on bail, while they were prohibited from contacting other possible suspects in the case.
An attempt to contact Pirah Lerner for comment was met with a wall of silence.
In a response that Attorney Weinroth sent to the media upon publication of the affair, it was stated: "Mrs. Lerner answered all the questions that were directed at her. I am convinced that at the end of the investigation it will become clear that there is no substance to any suspicion and that she acted lawfully in every matter as a dedicated civil servant." No response was received from the Prime Minister's Office.
