He could end up looking something like Clinton does today. That would make anyone nervous. It's making other people nervous, too. The Israeli police investigation launched this week is the first-ever major probe of foreign money in Israeli politics. Every party is involved, though Likud, Labor and the ultra-Orthodox Shas are acknowledged champions.
Liberals tend to feel it's interfering in Israeli politics.
It usually stays within the letter of the law, even while flouting the law's intent, by exploiting loopholes. Donors may write checks directly to Israeli campaign vendors, like printers or busses. What's odd about the current scandal is that it targets only a piece of the phenomenon, at least so far. Five Israeli parties are cited in the state comptroller's report that led to the police probe, but Barak's campaign is the main focus. It's accused of dodging spending limits by creating phony non-profit groups, covertly funded by foreign donors.