Police investigation won't affect Netanyahu's visit to U.

With tickets already on sale for this fall's Connaissance speaker, organizers are saying that the police investigation of former Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for alleged financial irregularities will not prevent the foreign leader from appearing on campus October 6. According to Connaissance Co-Chairperson Theo LeCompte, the former politician is still slated to speak at the newly re-opened Irvine Auditorium. "There have been no changes and I don't expect any," the Engineering junior said, noting that Netanyahu's agent from the Washington Speakers Bureau would have contacted Connaissance organizers had there been a change of plans. Last Wednesday, Israeli police questioned Netanyahu and his wife Sara about their involvement with a private contractor who provided cleaning, repair and hauling services at the couple's residence. When a bill for $100,000 arrived at the prime minister's office after he lost the May 17 election, Israeli officials were shocked, since the spending had not been authorized in advance. According to the Associated Press, the contractor was arrested for fraud, but has denied the charges through his attorney. And in a statement sent to Israeli radio stations, the Netanyahus denied improper conduct as well. University spokesperson Ken Wildes said the investigation has no baring on Netanyahu's visit to Penn. "Allegations are allegations," Wildes said. "Universities are places for the free exchange of ideas, and any time a world leader comes to visit, I think it is worth our time to sit up and listen." Members of the University community who want to attend Netanyahu's speech can enter a random lottery by accessing the Connaissance World Wide Web site, which went on-line at midnight and can be accessed until Friday. Organizers have said that anyone who registers between those times will have an equal chance at purchasing tickets. Tickets will be sold for $10 each, and each person selected can buy up to two. The web site is located at http:// dolphin.upenn.edu/~connlect. In order to be eligible for the lottery, members of the University community must enter their name, e-mail address and PennCard identification number. Winners will be notified by e-mail sometime early next week, and will have an opportunity to purchase up to two tickets. Connaissance organizers also announced last week that they will be co-sponsoring a one-hour seminar with a Political Science Department faculty member on October 4 to update students on the current situation in the Middle East. The seminar will offer a crash-course on recent Middle Eastern political history to provide a historical context for those attending the speech. It will be followed by two dinner discussions led by members of the Jewish Renaissance Project.

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