The Prime Minister of America’s strongest Middle East ally, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, may be heading for the gallows sooner, but not for his continuous, inhumane aggression against Palestinians, but for corruption, as his confidant and Israel’s Communications Ministry Director-General, Shlomo Filber, decides to testify against him.
The Israeli Police called for the indictment of Netanyahu as an aftermath of criminal investigations ongoing for more than three years.
Corruption charges; Case 1,000
PM Netanyahu and wife, Sara were alleged to have collected gifts, jewelry, cigars, worth tens of thousands of dollars, from businessmen, for political favors. The businessmen named include;
- Oscar-winning Hollywood Producer and Israeli Billionaire, Arnon Milchan, in exchange for a 10 year United States of America visa, which the Netanyahu lobbied with US former Secretary of State, John Kerry.
Following his acknowledgment of participation in the Israeli nuclear program in 2013, Milchan, who is the brain behind hit movies like ‘Pretty woman’, ’12 years a slave’, ‘Elektra’; Milchan, was no longer accorded 10-year visas from the US, instead, he was required to apply annually for extension.
In the same interview on Israel’s television show Uvda, Milchan also claimed to have used connections to promote apartheid in South Africa because it helped Israel acquire Uranium for its nuclear program.
Netanyahu, however, asserts that his securing Milchan’s 10-year visa was done as part of Israel’s security needs and not as a favor.
- Australia’s ninth richest, James Packer, in securing a permanent residency and tax status in Israel.
Although Netanyahu accepted collecting the gifts, he denies granting favors in return (Israeli Police are yet to recommend criminal charges against Sara Netanyahu).
Media manipulation; Case 2,000
Netanyahu was recorded on tape trying to strike a deal with the Country’s second-largest newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, (generally critical of Netanyahu) for favorable coverage.
The publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth, Arnon Mozes, in addition to offering biased reportage to help Netanyahu remain in power “as long as he wants”, also suggested his company hiring journalists of Netanyahu’s choice.
In exchange, Netanyahu would help promote legislation against its rival’s popular daily; Israel Hayom, which is pro-Netanyahu.
Netanyahu has also refuted the credibility of the tap and denied any intention of such deals with Mozes.
Submarine affair; Case 3,000
Although Netanyahu is not directly named as a suspect, his Confidants are implicated in the charges.
His cousin and personal lawyer, David Shimron is involved in an alleged corruption in the $2 billion purchase of Israel’s submarines and naval attack vessels from Germany’s Thyssen Krupp.
Former Bureau Chief, David Sharan, was also arrested on suspicion of bribery and lobbying officials of the Country’s Defence Ministry.
Moshe Yaalon, former defense Minister claimed Netanyahu sought to facilitate the deal by canceling a previous tender, a claim Netanyahu has also denied.
Media espionage; Case 4,000
Shlomo Filber, Confidant, and D.G of the country’s Communications Ministry is being indicted for, according to Bezeq the National telephone company, preferential treatment.
Netanyahu may be held in contempt of the law for false statements made as regards his relationship with Shaul Elovitch, the controlling shareholder of Bezeq, with the PM denying any friendship, while prior to that has asserted his being friends with Elovitch for 20 years.
His luxurious First Lady
Though the Israeli Police are yet to indict her, Sara has been called for questioning over diversion of public funds for private use, in addition to soliciting gifts for favors.
About $100,000 is claimed to have been used to pay for private chefs at family events, furnish and improve their private home in Caesarea, while also paying for her father’s personal care.
Arrests made
- Shaul Elovitch (controls Bezeq)
- Iris Elovitch (Shaul’s wife and friend to Sara Netanyahu)
- Or Elovitch (Shaul’s son and board member of Bezeq)
- Stella Handler (Bezeq CEO)
- Nir Hefetz (Confidant and former spokesman of Benjamin Netanyahu)
- Schlomo Filber (Confidant and former D.G, communications Ministry); presently cooperating with investigations and admitted to receiving explicit instructions from Netanyahu to help Bezeq.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General, Avihai Mandelblit, has expressed his willingness not to delay proceedings, while also lauding the investigation.
“The investigations were carried out by the book, exactly as is expected by law enforcement authorities to deal with cases like these: professionally, thoroughly, creatively and with sophistication, with the aim to get to the truth.
