Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be charged with corruption over his relationship with casino billionaire James Packer and American-Israeli movie producer Arnon Milchan, Israeli police said.
Now deep in a cloud of uncertainty over his political future, the right-wing leader will await a final decision by Israel’s attorney-general on whether he will face charges, a process that could take weeks or even months.
The recommendations, which police made public on Tuesday night (Wednesday AEDT), were at the more serious end of the range of charges that had been expected to be levelled against Netanyahu, now in his fourth term. The investigations have gone on for more than a year.
In December, media reports said Netanyahu had demanded gifts and gratuities worth as much as $US100,000 ($127,000) from casino billionaire James Packer and a business associate.
There was no suggestion that Mr Packer, who reportedly gave the Netanyahu family gifts and access to his Israeli home. faces any charges.
“Upon conclusion of the investigation, case 1000, the Police have concluded that there is sufficient evidence against the PM on suspicions for the offence of accepting bribes, fraud and breach of trust regarding his connection with businessman Arnon Milchan and fraud and breach of trust in connection with the Australian businessman James Packer,” the police said in a written statement.
Mark Arbib, a spokesman for Mr Packer, said: “There is no allegation of wrongdoing on Mr Packer’s behalf – the Israeli and Australian police have confirmed that he was interviewed as a witness, not a suspect.”
In all, the combined value of the gifts was more than one million shekels ($356,000), the statement said. Netanyahu’s lawyers have said the presents were simply tokens of friendship and quid pro quo was given
The Israeli attorney general will have to decide whether to indict Mr Netanyahu and what charges he could face. Israeli media reported that Mr Netanyahu was under pressure to step down. The veteran political leader said the investigation is a political witch hunt designed to force him from power and denied he had done anything wrong.
Against the backdrop of Israeli flags, Netanyahu went on national television, speaking in sombre tones as he recounted his days as an Israeli commando and reaffirmed his commitment to Israel’s security.
“All my life I have worked to one goal: to secure Israel and its future,” Mr Netanyahu said on television. “I feel a great responsibility to continue to lead Israel in a way that will secure its future.”
In November officers from the Australian Federal Police interviewed Mr Packer on behalf of Israeli authorities investigating gratuities he allegedly provided to the Israel prime minister.
Israeli news reports have portrayed Mr Packer as reluctant to help.
Last year Israel’s national broadcaster reported that investigators unsuccessfully attempted to interview Mr Packer in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, where he had sailed away in a boat.
Israel’s second-largest newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, reported Mr Packer agreed to speak on the condition that his evidence would not be used against him.
Mr Packer reportedly told the police that he had not asked Mr Netanyahu for anything in return for the gifts, which reportedly included accommodation, champagne, cigars and tickets to a Mariah Carey concert.
Read the full article in the Australian Financial Review.