Netanyahu becomes first serving Israeli PM to face criminal prosecution on corruption charges
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The long-awaited corruption trial of Benjamin Netanyahu is due to open in Jerusalem, where he will become the first serving Israeli prime minister to face criminal prosecution.
Netanyahu is required to appear for Sunday’s session in Jerusalem District Court, a week after being sworn into office for a fifth term.
Netanyahu, 70, was indicted in three criminal cases last November. He denies all wrongdoing.
In one case it is alleged that Netanyahu granted regulatory favours worth around 1.8 billion shekels (about $500 million) to Israeli telecommunications company Bezeq Telecom Israel. In return, prosecutors say, he sought positive coverage of himself and his wife on a news website controlled by the company’s former chairman, Shaul Elovitch.
In this case, Netanyahu has been charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Elovitch and his wife, Iris, have been charged with bribery and obstruction of justice. The couple deny wrongdoing.
epa08440754 Supporters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu protest outside the district court where he is facing a trial for alleged corruption crimes in Salah El-Din, East Jerusalem, 24 May 2020. Netanyahu has been charged with counts of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, becoming the first sitting Israeli leader to be tried for alleged corruption while still in office. The trial comes only a week after Netanyahu was sworn into office for another term following a rare power-sharing deal with his adversary, Benny Gantz, who is set to take over as prime minister in 18 months as he switches roles with Netanyahu, who would then become Gantz’s deputy. EPA-EFE/ATEF SAFADI
epa08440757 Supporters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu protest outside the district court where he is facing a trial for alleged corruption crimes in Salah El-Din, East Jerusalem, 24 May 2020. Netanyahu has been charged with counts of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, becoming the first sitting Israeli leader to be tried for alleged corruption while still in office. The trial comes only a week after Netanyahu was sworn into office for another term following a rare power-sharing deal with his adversary, Benny Gantz, who is set to take over as prime minister in 18 months as he switches roles with Netanyahu, who would then become Gantz’s deputy. EPA-EFE/ATEF SAFADI
epa08440758 Supporters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu protest outside the district court where he is facing a trial for alleged corruption crimes in Salah El-Din, East Jerusalem, 24 May 2020. Netanyahu has been charged with counts of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, becoming the first sitting Israeli leader to be tried for alleged corruption while still in office. The trial comes only a week after Netanyahu was sworn into office for another term following a rare power-sharing deal with his adversary, Benny Gantz, who is set to take over as prime minister in 18 months as he switches roles with Netanyahu, who would then become Gantz’s deputy. EPA-EFE/ATEF SAFADI
In another case, in which Netanyahu has been charged with fraud and breach of trust, centres on allegations that he and wife Sara wrongfully received almost 700,000 shekels worth of gifts from Arnon Milchan, a Hollywood producer and Israeli citizen, and Australian billionaire businessman James Packer. Prosecutors said gifts included champagne and cigars and that Netanyahu helped Milchan with his business interests. Neither Packer nor Milchan face charges.
The other case alleges that Netanyahu negotiated a deal with Arnon Mozes, owner of Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, for better coverage. In return, the prime minister allegedly offered legislation that would slow the growth of a rival newspaper. Netanyahu has been charged with fraud and breach of trust. Mozes has been charged with offering a bribe, and denies wrongdoing.
Netanyahu says he is the victim of a politically orchestrated “witch hunt” by the media and the left to oust him from office. Loyalists in Netanyahu‘s right-wing Likud Party have accused the justice system of bias, and Netanyahu has said receiving gifts from friends was not against the law. His legal team says criminal investigations into relations between politicians and the news media threaten press freedom.
Bribery charges carry a sentence of up to 10 years in jail and/or a fine. Fraud and breach of trust carry a prison sentence of up to three years.
The Jerusalem Post reports that the judiciary panel is not the panel that Netanyahu would have hoped for. We have already seen this with the court ruling against Netanyahu on a postponement request in March and on his request last week for an exemption to attend Sunday’s hearing.
