Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be indicted on corruption charges, including allegations he took tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of gifts from Australian gaming billionaire James Packer.
The indictment against Mr Netanyahu was released late on Thursday Israeli time, relating to three cases in which he is alleged to have received gifts or benefits in return for favours.
In one matter, Case 1000, Mr Netanyahu is alleged to have taken expensive gifts from Mr Packer and his friend and business associate, the Israeli-born Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan.
According to the indictment, Mr Packer provided champagne and cigars to Mr Netanyahu and his wife Sara so regularly it was akin to a “delivery line”. On some occasions, it is alleged, Mr Netanyahu and his family were allowed to help themselves from Mr Packer’s home when he wasn’t there.
Israeli Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit released a 57-page indictment outlining the case against Mr Netanyahu, who is due to go to the polls in Israel’s general elections in less than six weeks’ time.
According to the Attorney-General, Mr Packer is alleged to have provided the gifts to Mr Netanyahu between the years 2014 and 2016. Mr Packer was living in Israel at the time and had a house next door to Mr Netanyahu and his wife Sara in Caesarea, Israel’s most expensive seaside town, an hour from Tel Aviv.
According to the indictment, Mr Packer supplied the Netanyahus with a total of $56,636 worth of fine cigars, and $33,516 worth of champagne. Mr Milchan is alleged to have also provided gifts, mainly of champagne and cigars, worth a total of $185,870 between 2011-2016.
Mr Packer has not been charged and the Israelis make no suggestion of wrong-doing against him. Mr Milchan has also not been charged. The indictment does not suggest Mr Packer received favours, but alleges that Mr Netanyahu used his position to assist Mr Milchan on several occasions.
Read the article by Ellen Whinnett in the Herald Sun.