Israeli police recommend bribery charges against Netanyahu

[webfact]

Israeli police recommend bribery charges against Netanyahu

By Jeffrey Heller

 

FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem February 11, 2018. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo

 

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli police on Tuesday recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for bribery, opening the way for what could be the biggest challenge yet to the right-wing leader's political survival.

 

Against the backdrop of Israeli flags in a televised speech at his residence, a sombre Netanyahu called the allegations baseless and vowed to complete his fourth term in office.

 

It will be up to Israel's attorney general to decide whether to file charges, a process that could take weeks if not months.

 

The recommendations, which police made public on Tuesday night, were at the more serious end of the range of charges that had been expected to be levelled against Netanyahu in two criminal investigations that have gone on for more than a year.

 

One of the cases, known as Case 1000, alleged the "committing of crimes of bribery, fraud and breach of trust by the prime minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu."

 

In a detailed statement, police named Arnon Milchan, a Hollywood producer and Israeli citizen, and Australian businessman James Packer, saying that for nearly a decade, from 2007 to 2016, they gave gifts that included champagne, cigars and jewellery to Netanyahu and his family.

 

In all, the merchandise was worth more than one million shekels ($280,000), the statement said. Any legal proceedings would likely focus on whether political favours were sought or granted.

 

Netanyahu's lawyers said the presents were simply tokens of friendship.

 

Israel's Channel 10 television quoted a lawyer for Milchen as saying that occasional gift-giving was devoid of any business interests.

 

Packer could not immediately be reached for comment.

 

The second, Case 2000, also alleged "bribery, fraud and breach of trust by the prime minister" and by the publisher of the biggest-selling Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Arnon Mozes. The two men, police said, discussed ways of slowing the growth of a rival daily newspaper, Israel Hayom, "through legislation and other means".

 

Netanyahu, who has denied wrongdoing, has been questioned several times by police since the start of 2017.

 

In his television appearance, minutes after police made their recommendations public, Netanyahu, 68, recounted his military service as a commando and said he had never sought personal gain from politics.

 

"I will continue to lead Israel responsibly and faithfully for as long as you, the citizens of Israel, choose me to lead you," he said. "I am certain, I am certain, that the truth will be revealed, and I am certain that at the next elections, which will be held on schedule, I will earn your trust again, with God's help."

 

Israel is next scheduled to go to the polls in late 2019.

 

"Because I know the truth, I tell you ... things will end in nothing," Netanyahu said.

 

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, asked about the police decision, cited Washington's "very strong relationship" with Netanyahu and the Israeli government.

 

"We're certainly aware of it, but we consider it to be an internal Israeli matter," Nauert said.

 

Israelis have seen their leaders embroiled in legal trouble before. Last year, Ehud Olmert, prime minister from 2006 to 2009, was released from prison after serving 19 months of a 27-month sentence over a variety of corruption charges.

 

(Additional reporting by Ori Lewis in Jerusalem and David Alexander in Washington; writing by Jeffrey Heller; editing by Stephen Farrell/Mark Heinrich)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-02-14

[Juan B Tong]

Hmm.  Lets 'watch' this.

[kamahele]

Over a quarter of a million dollars considered "tokens of friendship"? Wish I had friends like that!

[Proboscis]

I would settle for him agreeing to shut his mouth in public and leaving office forever.

 

We need some new blood. Trying the same old strategies again and again is getting nowhere. I have long ago lost hope of there being any peace with Bibi in the hot seat. I get the impression that he would prefer continued conflict as it assures him of his position.

[Baerboxer]

44 minutes ago, kamahele said:

Over a quarter of a million dollars considered "tokens of friendship"? Wish I had friends like that!

 

They were only on loan! He gave the empty champagne bottles (maybe the recycled beverage too?), the cigar ash back whilst the jewelry is just on loan! 

[thaibeachlovers]

I'm lovin' it.

Imagine the great land robber brought down as a crook.

Edited February 14, 2018 by thaibeachlovers

[scorecard]

45 minutes ago, Proboscis said:

I would settle for him agreeing to shut his mouth in public and leaving office forever.

 

We need some new blood. Trying the same old strategies again and again is getting nowhere. I have long ago lost hope of there being any peace with Bibi in the hot seat. I get the impression that he would prefer continued conflict as it assures him of his position.

 

Plus, he loves aggression / personally being aggressive.

 

 

[CharlesSwann]

The least of his crimes.

[Morch]

In total, over a dozen criminal/corruption cases and investigations over the last 20 years involving Netanyahu, his wife and close aides. Most came to naught, more to do with political pressures than innocence. The Israeli police is currently investigating two other cases, referred to as cases 3000 and 4000. While the latter revolves around "routine" corruption, somewhat similar to Case 2000, the former one is more explosive. Case 3000 deals with corruption allegation involving Netanyahu's closest aides (one a cousin), related to naval procurement contracts. Other than the corruption angle, there is also an implication that Israel's national security was damaged. Netanyahu is not officially charged in this case, yet - but claiming he wasn't aware of things would, at the very least, paint him as incompetent.

 

I would hold off uncorking the champagne (no pun intended), because as the first line hints, he's been there before and managed to wiggle out of trouble. How things will pan out and how they will effect his political future remains to be seen - he's quite adept at leveraging the political underdog position for his advantage.

 

And as for wishing for his downfall - there's that, and then there's the issue of who comes next. The current choices are between clones, non-entities or even more extreme versions. Careful what you wish for applies.

 

 

 

 

[Morch]

37 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

Plus, he loves aggression / personally being aggressive.

 

 

 

Not really, when it comes down to it. Most of his aggressiveness is barking dog style. Compared with previous Israeli leaders he's shown quite a reluctance committing to any serious, large scale confrontations. Hardly make him a Nobel Peace Prize candidate, of course.

[maximillian]

12 minutes ago, Morch said:

In total, over a dozen criminal/corruption cases and investigations over the last 20 years involving Netanyahu, his wife and close aides. Most came to naught, more to do with political pressures than innocence. The Israeli police is currently investigating two other cases, referred to as cases 3000 and 4000. While the latter revolves around "routine" corruption, somewhat similar to Case 2000, the former one is more explosive. Case 3000 deals with corruption allegation involving Netanyahu's closest aides (one a cousin), related to naval procurement contracts. Other than the corruption angle, there is also an implication that Israel's national security was damaged. Netanyahu is not officially charged in this case, yet - but claiming he wasn't aware of things would, at the very least, paint him as incompetent.

 

I would hold off uncorking the champagne (no pun intended), because as the first line hints, he's been there before and managed to wiggle out of trouble. How things will pan out and how they will effect his political future remains to be seen - he's quite adept at leveraging the political underdog position for his advantage.

 

And as for wishing for his downfall - there's that, and then there's the issue of who comes next. The current choices are between clones, non-entities or even more extreme versions. Careful what you wish for applies.

 

 

 

 

And as for wishing for his downfall - there's that, and then there's the issue of who comes next. The current choices are between clones, non-entities or even more extreme versions. Careful what you wish for applies.

 

Fully agree.

 

[Scott]

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