{UAH} Mulindwa's brother, Netanyahu to miss Mandela wake due to travel costs
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10:53pm
Netanyahu to miss Mandela wake due to travel costs
Prime Minister's Office says last minute journey would cost upwards of NIS 7 million
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has canceled plans to attend the funeral of former South African Presdient Nelson Mandela.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office Sunday night said the decision to cancel the visit was made due to the high costs of the last minute travel arrangements and the complex security provisions needed in light of the many expected attendents.
According to the statement, an initial estimate of the costs revealed a price tag of upwards of NIS seven million.
The statement said that an estimate offered by Israeli carrier El Al was for NIS 2.8 million and that an extra cargo plane needed to carry equipment for security purposes would cost an additional NIS 3.2 million.
Netanyahu has recently come under severe criticism after a report revealed expenses for maintaining his official residence as well as two private homes, cost Israeli taxpayers upwards of NIS three million a year.
Fifty-three heads of state and government have so far confirmed attendance at upcoming memorial events for peace icon Mandela, South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said Sunday.
The dignitaries will include US President Barack Obama, along with three former American presidents, Brazilian leader Dilma Rousseff, French President Francois Hollande and British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Many leaders will attend a memorial service Tuesday at the Soccer City stadium, where Mandela made his last major public appearance during the 2010 football World Cup.
A smaller group would travel to the Nobel peace laureate's rural childhood village Qunu for his funeral service and burial next Sunday.
Scores of dignitaries are also expected to attend, including UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Kofi Annan, Martti Ahtisaari, Lakhdar Brahimi, Mary Robinson.
Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey and singer-activist Bono, as well as Richard Branson and Peter Gabriel are expected to be among the celebrity mourners.
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas and Britain's Prince Charles, representing Queen Elizabeth II, will also attend.
i24news diplomatic reporter Tal shalev contributed to this report
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