Ljub o Gjeorgjevski travelled to Israel this week for a five-day private visit. There was much speculation in the press as to the source of funding for the trip, initially believed to be private donations from businessmen to Gjeorgjevski and from an organisation called Blagovestie, of which Gjeorgjevski's wife, Sne ana, is director. This has been vociferously denied, and government spokesman Antonio Milososki confirmed that the cost of the trip was being borne entirely by the prime minister and his wife. Such suggestions of financial mismanagement are highly unwelcome in this run-up to municipal elections. It is believed the prime minister is visiting Israel because of that country's agreement to allow the Macedonian Orthodox Church to build a church in Jerusalem.
Some newspapers speculate that negotiations for construction are now underway.
On Friday 31 June, Sitel, a private television channel in Skopje, reported that police had found the apartment in which the assassination attempt on Kiro Gligorov was planned in October 1995. No names were given. The entire report was immediately denied by the Interior Ministry, but it has reawakened debate about the assassination attempt. Interestingly, it specifies that the agency responsible is not based in one of Macedonia's neighbouring states. Responsibility for the investigation into the assassination now lies with the Macedonian Intelligence Agency, which has reportedly reached a deadlock due to what Nova Makedonija identifies as a lack of experience both as an organisation and at the level of individuals.