Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu to be indicted for 'bribery, fraud'

[TalentSpotterPk]

Israeli police have questioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of an inquiry into corruption allegations.
He was asked about "receiving benefits from business people", justice ministry officials said without giving details.


Ahead of the investigators' arrival at his residence on Monday, Mr Netanyahu restated that he was innocent.
He warned the media and political rivals that they should "hold off partying", adding: "Nothing will happen, because there is nothing."


Mr Netanyahu was questioned at his Jerusalem residence for about three hours, the Jerusalem Post newspaper says.

The prime minister is accused of accepting "improper gifts" worth thousands of dollars from domestic and international businessman, the newspaper reported.

Mr Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, have faced scrutiny several times over the years

Mr Netanyahu told his Likud party legislators earlier on Monday: "We hear all the media reports. We see and hear the festive spirit and atmosphere in television studios and in the corridors of the opposition.

"I want to tell them to wait for the celebrations. Do not rush... You will continue to inflate hot air balloons and we will continue to lead the state of Israel."
Opponents of Mr Netanyahu have called for an investigation into his affairs following a series of scandals in recent months - none of which has resulted in charges.
Allegations against Benjamin Netanyahu
Nov 2016: Investigation opens into the purchase of new submarines from Germany, after it was claimed that Mr Netanyahu's lawyer represented the company during negotiations

June 2016: Attorney General orders probe after French fraudster Arnaud Mimran claims he donated hundreds of thousands of euros to Mr Netanyahu's 2009 campaign - something the prime minister denies

July 2015: Mr Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, are accused of charging the government for the services of a contractor who did private work for them; charges are later dropped

May 2013: Mr Netanyahu is accused of wasting public money after it emerges $127,000 (£102,000) was spent on a customised private bedroom for a single flight to the UK
After Mr Netanyahu's first term as prime minister two decades ago, police recommended that he and Sara face criminal charges for keeping official gifts that should have been handed over to the state; charges are later dropped


http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-38491374

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Imran Khan discussed this news in his Press Conference today.

Hope he isn't termed a Jew Agent once more for pointing out this.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

I hope and pray that Justice prevails in Panama Case otherwise if once again clean chit is given than Allama Iqbal's Couplet will fit perfectly on Us Muslims.


Wazaa mein tum ho Nasara, to Tamaddum mein Hunood Yeh Musalman hain jinhe dekh kar sharmaye Yahood! …….. (Allama Iqbal)


Look at Yahoodi police.


FIA, NAB, FBR, State Bank Zameer jagao. Go by rules as Quaid e Azam asked you 68 years ago. Hukmaraanoun k Nokar Zaati mulazim, Ghulam na bano. Riyasat State ki Ghulami kero.

 

[Muhammad10]

Benjamin Netanyahu suspected of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, police say

Benjamin Netanyahu is suspected of having committed bribery, fraud and breach of trust, Israeli police have confirmed.

The Israeli Prime Minister is accused of offering commercial favours to a newspaper owner in return for positive coverage and of accepting bribes from a Hollywood billionaire.

Investigators have secured a gagging order as they try to persuade the politician's former chief of staff to testify in the cases. The order was granted and will remain in force until 17 September.

A spokesperson for Mr Netanyahu said the claims were untrue and politically-motivated, according to Haaretz.

"We completely reject the unfounded claims made against the prime minister," they said. "The campaign to change the government is underway, but it is destined to fail, for a simple reason: there won't be anything because there was nothing."

Israel's Attorney General, Avichai Mendelblit, said talks with Mr Netanyahu's former chief of staff, Ari Harow, about acting as a witness for the state were "making progress".

Mr Netanyahu is accused of wrongdoing in two separate cases. The first, known as Case 1000, relates to his connections to billionaire Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, who he allegedly accepted thousands of pounds worth of lavish gifts from. Reports suggest that, after receiving cigars and champagne, the Israeli Prime Minister lobbied then US Secretary of State John Kerry on Mr Milchan's behalf while he was trying to acquire a new US visa.

Mr Netanyahu’s lawyer, Yaakov Weinroth, is previously reported to have said: “Any reasonable person knows that there is nothing remotely criminal involved when a close friend gives his friend a gift of cigars.”

In the other case, called Case 2000, he is accused of offering commercial favours to Israeli newspaper owner Arnon Mozes in return for more positive coverage. Mr Mozes owns Yedioth Ahronoth - one of Israel's biggest newspapers. Mr Netanyahu is alleged to have offered to cut the ciruclation of Israel Hayom, a pro-Netanyahu newspaper owned by US billionaire and Republican Party donor Sheldon Adelson, if Mr Mozes told his paper to be more favourable towards the Prime Minister.

Cutting the circulation of Israel Hayom, which is distributed free of charge, would benefit Mr Mozes financially because it is the main competitor of his newspaper in the battle for advertising revenues.

Mr Harow is also suspected of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, along with aggravated fraud and money laundering. Recordings found on his phone of conversations between Mr Netanyahu and Mr Mozes are said to form the basis of the Case 2000 investigation.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...ud-breach-of-trust-police-arnon-a7875831.html

 

[Muhammad10]

Netanyahu ex-aide Ari Harow 'to testify against him'

A former top aide to Israel's prime minister is to testify against him in two corruption cases being investigated by police, local media say.

Ari Harow, who was Benjamin Netanyahu's chief of staff, will turn state's witness under a plea bargain in a probe he is facing himself, reports say.

Mr Netanyahu has been questioned about the cases three times by police under caution.

The prime minister, who is serving his fourth term, denies any wrongdoing.

The BBC's Tom Bateman in Jerusalem says Mr Harow's reported agreement with prosecutors marks a significant development in the corruption investigations, whose twists have received near daily coverage in Israel's media.

One of the cases relates to claims that Mr Netanyahu and his family received gifts from wealthy businessmen.

The other centres around allegations that Mr Netanyahu offered to limit the circulation of a rival free newspaper in return for more favourable coverage from one of the country's most widely-read dailies.

The cases are known colloquially as "1,000" and "2,000" respectively.

Mr Harow agreed to confess to fraud and breach of trust in return for testifying against his former boss, Reuters news agency cited court papers as saying.

Mr Netanyahu has repeatedly described the investigations as a witch-hunt stirred up by political opponents.

"We completely reject the unfounded claims made against the prime minister. The campaign to change the government is under way, but it is destined to fail, for a simple reason: there won't be anything because there was nothing," a post on his Facebook page said.

Mr Harow, a former head of American friends of Likud (Mr Netanyahu's party), was the prime minister's chief of staff from 2009-10, and from 2013-15.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40824750

 

[Muhammad10]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Police have “enough evidence” to indict Benjamin Netanyahu on bribery and fraud charges, Israeli media reported <a href="https://t.co/LAcceX79LO">https://t.co/LAcceX79LO</a></p>— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) <a href="https://twitter.com/MiddleEastEye/status/905935304342863872">September 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[shaaik]

Israeli PM Netanyahu should be charged with bribery - police


Israeli police have recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara for alleged fraud and bribery.

They are suspected of awarding regulatory favours to the Bezeq telecom firm in return for positive media coverage of the couple.

Mr Netanyahu rejected the allegations in the co-called Case 4000.

The Israeli attorney-general will now have to decide whether to bring charges in the case.

Israel's dilemma over 'magician' Netanyahu's future
Netanyahu: The commando turned PM
In a statement on Sunday, Mr Netanyahu said: "These recommendations were determined and leaked even before the investigations began.

"I'm sure that in this case the relevant authorities, after examining the issue, will reach the same conclusion: that there was nothing because there is nothing."

In February, police recommended indicting Mr Netanyahu in two other corruption investigations.

He had dismissed all the allegations as "baseless".

Israeli media say Mr Netanyahu has been questioned by investigators a number of times.

The prime minister, 69, heads a fragile coalition, but he appears confident the allegations will not spur early elections.

The next legislative poll is scheduled for November 2019. Mr Netanyahu is in his second stint as prime minister.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46417300

 

[Bewal Express]

I hope and pray that Justice prevails in Panama Case otherwise if once again clean chit is given than Allama Iqbal's Couplet will fit perfectly on Us Muslims.


Wazaa mein tum ho Nasara, to Tamaddum mein Hunood Yeh Musalman hain jinhe dekh kar sharmaye Yahood! …….. (Allama Iqbal)


Look at Yahoodi police.


FIA, NAB, FBR, State Bank Zameer jagao. Go by rules as Quaid e Azam asked you 68 years ago. Hukmaraanoun k Nokar Zaati mulazim, Ghulam na bano. Riyasat State ki Ghulami kero.

And when they did?

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Attorney General recommends Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu be indicted in three cases on charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust following long-running investigations</p>— Julia Macfarlane (@juliamacfarlane) <a href="https://twitter.com/juliamacfarlane/status/1101172881357185024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Abdullah719]

Israel's Netanyahu to be indicted for 'bribery, fraud'

Israel's attorney general said on Thursday he intends to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in one case of bribe and two cases of fraud and breach of trust.

Netanyahu responded in a televised address saying that the corruption charges against him will collapse "like a house of cards"

He said intends to continue as prime minister "for many more years".

The long-awaited announcement marks the first time a sitting Israeli prime minister has been put on official notice of planned prosecution and deepens uncertainty over his prospects in a tight election race.

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said in a statement that he intended to charge the Israeli leader pending a hearing, where Netanyahu would be given a chance to defend himself before charges are filed.

The required hearing will likely be after the April 9 election.

The prime minister on Thursday called the allegations a polically motivated "witch hunt" to hurt his re-election prospects.

Netanyahu is facing a tough challenge from a centrist political alliance headed by a respected former military chief of staff, Benny Gantz.

Allegations against Netanyahu include seeking a secret deal with the publisher of Israel's top-selling newspaper Yediot Aharonot to ensure positive coverage in return for pushing forward a law that would have limited the circulation of a rival publication.

Another probe involves suspicions the premier and his family received luxury presents from wealthy individuals in exchange for financial or personal favours.


Denies wrongdoing

Netanyahu, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term, denies any wrongdoing and in January said he would not resign even if indicted.

Al Jazeera's Bernard Smith, reporting from West Jerusalem, said the investigation into the case has been going on for three years.

"There were 20 senior justice ministry officials going through thousands of pages of evidence. They have taken a 140 witness statements and five of those witnesses are either current or former cabinet ministers," he said.

His right-wing Likud party calls the reported charges "political persecution".

"Unilateral publication of the attorney general's announcement just a month before the elections, without giving the prime minister an opportunity to refute these false accusations, is a blatant and unprecedented intervention in the elections," Likud said in a statement.

Al Jazeera's senior political analyst Marwan Bishara, reporting from London, said that Netanyahu's situation was comparable to that of US President Donald Trump.

"Like President Trump, Netanyahu and his allies claim that there is a conspiracy by the left, by the liberals against him to steal away the elections. He says that none of this is justified," he said.

"However, in Israel, not only those who are on the centre and the centre left want a piece of Netanyahu, but also those on the right, even some from within his party," Bishara said.

"That's why a few days ago Netanyahu was warning against one of his former aides Gideon Saar, who came the third in the Likud primaries so there will be some competition from within as well as outside the party."

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019...r-indicted-bribery-fraud-190228155936467.html

 

[AFM]

What an anti-semistic thread.. Should be locked and deleted. #westernmedialogic

 

[Bewal Express]

Israeli police have questioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of an inquiry into corruption allegations.
He was asked about "receiving benefits from business people", justice ministry officials said without giving details.


Ahead of the investigators' arrival at his residence on Monday, Mr Netanyahu restated that he was innocent.
He warned the media and political rivals that they should "hold off partying", adding: "Nothing will happen, because there is nothing."


Mr Netanyahu was questioned at his Jerusalem residence for about three hours, the Jerusalem Post newspaper says.

The prime minister is accused of accepting "improper gifts" worth thousands of dollars from domestic and international businessman, the newspaper reported.

Mr Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, have faced scrutiny several times over the years

Mr Netanyahu told his Likud party legislators earlier on Monday: "We hear all the media reports. We see and hear the festive spirit and atmosphere in television studios and in the corridors of the opposition.

"I want to tell them to wait for the celebrations. Do not rush... You will continue to inflate hot air balloons and we will continue to lead the state of Israel."
Opponents of Mr Netanyahu have called for an investigation into his affairs following a series of scandals in recent months - none of which has resulted in charges.
Allegations against Benjamin Netanyahu
Nov 2016: Investigation opens into the purchase of new submarines from Germany, after it was claimed that Mr Netanyahu's lawyer represented the company during negotiations

June 2016: Attorney General orders probe after French fraudster Arnaud Mimran claims he donated hundreds of thousands of euros to Mr Netanyahu's 2009 campaign - something the prime minister denies

July 2015: Mr Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, are accused of charging the government for the services of a contractor who did private work for them; charges are later dropped

May 2013: Mr Netanyahu is accused of wasting public money after it emerges $127,000 (£102,000) was spent on a customised private bedroom for a single flight to the UK
After Mr Netanyahu's first term as prime minister two decades ago, police recommended that he and Sara face criminal charges for keeping official gifts that should have been handed over to the state; charges are later dropped


http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-38491374

This is a conspiracy against NS

 

[gazza619]

Bad day for Israel.

Who will be the next PM?

 

[sshakir411]

No issues. Not like Bibi had a future in Israeli politics anyways. He became PM twice and defense minister once. His time was done anyways. Expect the Israeli status quo to remain.

 

[shaaik]

Sara Netanyahu received precious jewels worth $ 10 million from King of Saudi Arabia

In an interview with the Gulf today,Reema bint Bandar ,a Saudi Arabian princess and the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States claimed that King Salman had done something unexpected to impose political control four years ago.

It is believed that these things included the expansion of relations with European countries and politicians of the United States of America to protect King Salman from his relatives and keep him in power .Also Reema bint Bandar claims that King of Saudi Arabia gave precious jewels worth $ 10 million to Sara Netanyahu as gift.

Rima concluded that, for protection, King Salman offered precious jewels worth $ 10 million and a small yacht in the Red Sea as a gift to Sarah Netanyahu.

She also said that the king made pledges to recognize the state of the Zionist enemy and officially reopen official relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia

In return, Sarah Netanyahu pledged to protect the king to stay in power as long as her husband Benjamin, prime minister of Israel.

After Princess Rima revealed these secrets and given the black file on corruption issues for the Netanyahu family, things could be complicated by Benjamin Netanyahu as Israeli elections come close.

https://medium.com/@awdnewseditoria...illion-from-king-of-saudi-arabia-97fdf7afdd85

 

[MenInG]

Israel's attorney general has charged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in connection with three separate cases.

Mr Netanyahu is alleged to have accepted gifts from wealthy businessmen and dispensed favours to try to get more positive press coverage.

He denies wrongdoing and says he is the victim of a "witch hunt" by his left-wing opponents and the media.

He has insisted he will not resign and is not legally obliged to do so.

But the announcement comes amid a political stand-off in Israel following two inconclusive general elections in April and September.

On Wednesday, Mr Netanyahu's rival for the premiership, Benny Gantz, said he had been unable to command a majority in parliament and form a governing coalition.

President Reuven Rivlin had given him the opportunity to try and form a government after Mr Netanyahu failed to do so.

Mr Rivlin formally asked lawmakers on Thursday to agree on a candidate for prime minister within 21 days and avoid an unprecedented third election in a year.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-50508399

 

[The_Odd_One]

Good to see strong democracy with checks and balances in Israel

 

[PakLFC]

Hate Israel all you want but Netanyahu won't be going to America like we sent Nawaz to London. Israel will do justice to him, if innocent he'll be released. Shalom

 

[Arya]

Modi's jigri yaar. You can't expect better.

 

[Markhor]

This is the one aspect of Israeli democracy I respect - they locked up former PM Olmert for corruption and I hope Bibi finds himself a prison cellmate soon.

 

[The Viper]

Israeli court rejects Netanyahu's request to delay trial

A court in Israel on Tuesday rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request to delay the start of his corruption trial, ruling it would begin as planned next week.

Lawyers for Netanyahu - the first Israeli prime minister to be indicted while in office - had told the Jerusalem district court they had not received all the prosecution's case material and asked for a 45-day delay.

State prosecutors responded that they oppose any delays, and the court accepted their position.

In overruling the request, the presiding judge wrote that the first session on March 17 was a reading only and the defendant's response was not needed. Therefore, there was no justification for a delay.

Netanyahu has been charged with fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes in connection with a series of scandals that include accepting expensive gifts from wealthy friends and offering to exchange favours with powerful media moguls.

The long-ruling Israeli leader denies any wrongdoing and says he is the victim of a media-orchestrated witch-hunt.

His legal troubles stood at the centre of last week's third inconclusive Israeli election in less than a year.

Netanyahu's opponent, Benny Gantz, refused to sit with him in government and appears poised to push for legislation in the incoming parliament that would bar anyone indicted of a crime being able to lead a government.

The anti-Netanyahu forces in the incoming parliament command a 62-58 majority, but are deeply divided among themselves.

Israel's longest-serving leader is desperate to remain in office, because installing a new government would give him an important political boost and potentially allow him to legislate his way out of the legal quagmire.

Amit Haddad, one of Netanyahu's lawyers, had said he would seek a delay in the start of the trial.

The request was "technical" and meant to give the defence time to review investigative materials that it still had not received, he said.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...yahu-request-delay-trial-200310150450718.html

 

[Firebat]

Israel's Supreme Court discusses Netanyahu's fate as prime minister

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel’s Supreme Court began a two-day hearing on Sunday to determine whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s indictment on criminal charges disqualifies him from forming a new government.

A ruling against Netanyahu would likely trigger a snap election, the fourth since April 2019, as the country grapples with the coronavirus crisis and its economic fallout.

Netanyahu and his main rival Benny Gantz signed an agreement last month to form a unity government under which they would take turns leading Israel after three elections that neither of them won.

In power for more than a decade and currently head of a caretaker government, right-wing Netanyahu will serve as prime minister of a new administration for 18 months before handing the reins to centrist Gantz, according to the unity deal.

The pact has support from a majority in parliament. But several groups, including opposition parties and democracy watchdogs, have petitioned Israel’s highest court to nullify the deal and bar Netanyahu from leading the government, citing the criminal proceedings against him.

Responding to the petition, Israel’s Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit wrote to the court saying that there was no sufficient legal ground to disqualify Netanyahu.

He described the case as a “head-on collision” between “on one side the most basic democratic principle of honouring the will of the majority ... (and) on the other integrity in public service, specifically among elected officials.”

Eleven justices, wearing face masks and separated by screens as coronavirus precautions, presided over the discussion.

A small group outside the court, also following social distancing guidelines, carried signs and Israeli flags to protest against government corruption.

Some Israeli analysts have said the court, cast by Netanyahu loyalists as liberal and interventionist, was unlikely to bar the premier from heading a new government.

A ruling is expected to be announced by Thursday.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, was indicted in January on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He denies any wrongdoing in all three cases against him and says he is a victim of a political witch-hunt.

Netanyahu’s trial is due to start on May 24.

Israeli law says a prime minister under indictment is not obligated to step down until a final conviction. But legal some experts say there are legal precedents suggesting elected officials indicted with charges that carry moral turpitude should resign.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...hus-fate-as-prime-minister-idUSKBN22F084?il=0

 

[MenInG]

Israel's Supreme Court began a two-day hearing to determine whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been indicted for corruption, will be allowed to form a new government

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Him being removed won’t really make any difference. Cut the head of a Hydra and more just grow back

 

[cric_man]

Him being removed won’t really make any difference. Cut the head of a Hydra and more just grow back

Unfortunately true. Be it Likud or Labor, they have to make coalition governments with these smaller extremely hardliner parties as Israeli population is spread evenly across the spectrum. Plus with the green light given by Trump administration to annex whole of West Bank without consequences, even the most dovish liberal Israeli government would find it hard not to do it.

 

[MenInG]

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu goes on trial for corruption on Sunday, the first time a serving leader will have done so in the country's history.

Mr Netanyahu has been charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust - allegations which he strongly denies.

The 70-year-old has rejected calls by opponents to step down while he fights the cases.

It comes just a week after he was sworn back into office as head of a rare national unity government.

His political rival, Benny Gantz, agreed to share power following three inconclusive elections in under a year.

Mr Netanyahu is expected to attend the opening session of the trial, which is being held at Jerusalem District Court.

The leader of the right-wing Likud party is Israel's longest-serving prime minister, having been in power continuously since 2009. He also served a term in office from 1996-1999.

What is Benjamin Netanyahu accused of?

Mr Netanyahu has been indicted in three cases, known as 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000:

Case 1,000 - Fraud and breach of trust: he is accused of receiving gifts - mainly cigars and bottles of champagne - from powerful businessmen in exchange for favours
Case 2,000 - Fraud and breach of trust: Mr Netanyahu is accused of offering to help improve the circulation of Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot in exchange for positive coverage
Case 4,000 - Bribery, fraud and breach of trust: as PM and minister of communications at the time of the alleged offence, Mr Netanyahu is accused of promoting regulatory decisions favourable to the controlling shareholder in the Bezeq telecom giant, Shaul Elovitch, in exchange for positive coverage by Mr Elovitch's Walla news site
Mr Netanyahu has strongly denied all the charges against him, branding them a "witch-hunt" by political opponents, and has vowed to clear his name.

How can the prime minister serve and stand trial at the same time?

Such a thing has never happened before in Israel, so there is no precedent.

A former prime minister, Ehud Olmert, stepped down as party leader when he was under investigation for corruption in 2008 but technically remained prime minister until elections the following year - polls which brought Benjamin Netanyahu to power.

According to Israeli law, a prime minister charged with a crime is not required to resign.

Under the power-sharing deal with Benny Gantz, a new role of "alternate prime minister" was created, which means when the two men switch positions in 18 months' time, Mr Netanyahu will still occupy a prime ministerial office and stay on as Mr Gantz's deputy.

What does the trial mean for the country?
In short, a serving prime minister occupying the most powerful office in the land simultaneously trying to clear his name and avoid jail-time.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid called it "an embarrassment" and "horrible for the spirit of the nation" though it is not expected to affect government policy. Mr Netanyahu is still likely to press ahead with plans to annex Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley - territory in the occupied West Bank - in the coming months, a move certain to infuriate the Palestinians.

Opinion in Israel as to whether he should carry on as prime minister is split: critics say the spectacle of a trial makes Mr Netanyahu's job untenable, but his supporters - including his party - say he has been democratically elected and should not be forced out.

Even if he is convicted, Mr Netanyahu will not be required to resign unless and until any appeals are exhausted - which could, in theory, be many months or years into the future.

In Ehud Olmert's case, the former prime minister went on trial in 2009 and after he was convicted only began serving his sentence in 2016 due to the long legal process.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51868737

 

[MenInG]

Benjamin Netanyahu professed his innocence at the start of his corruption trial on Sunday, saying he was being framed in the first criminal prosecution of a serving Israeli prime minister.

 

[Firebat]

Israeli prime minister Netanyahu faces Jerusalem court

The trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on corruption charges has opened in Jerusalem, days after he began a new term in office.

Mr Netanyahu, 70, is the first standing leader to face trial in the country's history. He denies accusations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Arrived at the courthouse for a brief hearing, he said the cases were aimed at "toppling him in any way possible".

He was sworn back into office as head of a rare unity government a week ago.

His political rival, Benny Gantz, agreed to share power following three inconclusive elections in under a year.

He has rejected calls by opponents to step down while he fights the cases.

The leader of the right-wing Likud party is Israel's longest-serving prime minister, having been in power continuously since 2009. He also served a term in office from 1996-1999.

Spoiler

What happened at the court?

As he arrived at the Jerusalem District Court on Sunday, he told reporters: "I'm here with a straight back and my head held high."

"When you need to take me down, a strong prime minister from the right, everything is possible," he added.

At the start of the hearing, which lasted about an hour, Mr Netanyahu told the judges: "I read and I understand the indictment."

He stood in a face mask and refused to sit down on the defendants' bench until the reporters left the room, local media say.

His lawyers say they need several months to prepare their defence. The date for the next hearing has been set for 19 July.

What is Benjamin Netanyahu accused of?

Mr Netanyahu has been indicted in three cases, known as 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000:

Case 1,000 - Fraud and breach of trust: he is accused of receiving gifts - mainly cigars and bottles of champagne - from powerful businessmen in exchange for favours

Case 2,000 - Fraud and breach of trust: Mr Netanyahu is accused of offering to help improve the circulation of Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot in exchange for positive coverage

Case 4,000 - Bribery, fraud and breach of trust: as PM and minister of communications at the time of the alleged offence, Mr Netanyahu is accused of promoting regulatory decisions favourable to the controlling shareholder in the Bezeq telecom giant, Shaul Elovitch, in exchange for positive coverage by Mr Elovitch's Walla news site

Mr Netanyahu has strongly denied all the charges against him, branding them a "witch-hunt" by political opponents, and has vowed to clear his name.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51868737

 

[Abdullah719]

Israel: Netanyahu corruption trial resumes amid anti-gov't anger

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial has resumed as the long-serving leader faces mounting discontent over his handling of the coronavirus crisis.

The trial at the Jerusalem District Court resumed on Sunday after a two-month break. The court had ruled in May that Netanyahu, the first serving Israeli prime minister to go on trial, would not have to be present during the proceedings.

Netanyahu, 70, is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of scandals in which he is alleged to have received lavish gifts from billionaire friends and exchanged regulatory favours with media moguls for more agreeable coverage of himself and his family.

Netanyahu denies wrongdoing, painting the accusations as a media-orchestrated witch-hunt pursued by a biased law enforcement system.

Bribery charges carry a sentence of up to 10 years in jail, while fraud and breach of trust carry a prison sentence of up to three years.

Spoiler

Widespread anger
The corruption trial resumes as Netanyahu faces widespread anger over his government's handling of the coronavirus crisis.

While the country appeared to have tamped down a first wave of infections, a hasty reopening sent infections soaring.

But Netanyahu and his emergency government - formed with the goal of dealing with the crisis - appeared to neglect the numbers and moved forward with other policy priorities and its reopening plans.

It has since paused them and even reimposed restrictions, including a weekend only lockdown set to begin later this week.

Netanyahu's government has been criticised for its response to the new wave, which has seen daily cases rise to nearly 2,000. It has been slammed for its handling of the economic fallout of the crisis.

The anger has sparked protests over the past few weeks that have culminated in violent clashes with police.

On Saturday, police used water cannon to disperse demonstrators around Netanyahu's Jerusalem residence. In Tel Aviv, Israel's commercial hub, thousands gathered to demand better state aid to businesses hurt in the health crisis.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...l-resumes-anti-gov-anger-200719071849597.html

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Half an hour ago, outside Netanyahu's Jerusalem residence <a href="https://t.co/SrUOWTj9Ak">pic.twitter.com/SrUOWTj9Ak</a></p>— Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) <a href="https://twitter.com/NTarnopolsky/status/1287104682750554116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Markhor]

There's been protests before and Bibi is still there. The guy is truly a leech - he will hold onto power with every fibre of his being.

Liberal voters in cities might protest against him, but country bumpkin conservative voters are who keep voting for Bibi time after time, and until they turn against him I don't see him going anywhere.

 

[MenInG]

Israel's prime minister has hit out at an art exhibition of him in Tel Aviv, branding it a "shameful threat of crucifixion".

It features a life-size statue of Benjamin Netanyahu enjoying a lavish meal by himself in a mock re-enactment of The Last Supper.

Artist Itay Zalait said the exhibit in the city's Rabin Square was meant to symbolise the "last supper of Israeli democracy".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wearing a face mask, looks on while standing inside the court room as his corruption trial opens at the Jerusalem District Court

Netanyahu's alleged corruption trial begins
The 32ft long table is filled with platters of juicy fruit, wads of cash, empty bottles of alcohol and a cigar - a reference to the expensive gifts Mr Netanyahu is accused of improperly accepting from wealthy associates.

The PM, who appears pudgy and dishevelled in a dark suit and red tie, is seen eating a large cake.

The figure of Mr Netanyahu is alone amid 12 empty chairs.

Mr Zalait said of his installation: "You have the prime minister of Israel sitting in the centre of the table and grabbing and sucking all this rich food to himself.

"Now he's practically finished this meal and he's now at the stage of the dessert, which is referring to the last minutes of time we can do something to save Israeli democracy."

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in recent weeks calling on Mr Netanyahu to resign.

He is under pressure over his handling of the country's coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent economic fallout, as well as his ongoing trial on corruption charges.

Mr Netanyahu denies the charges against him.

https://news.sky.com/story/israels-...him-a-shameful-threat-of-crucifixion-12038782

 

[MenInG]

Thousands of demonstrators have gathered outside the official residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and thronged the streets of central Jerusalem, as weeks of protests against the Israeli leader appeared to be gaining steam.

The demonstration in central Jerusalem, along with smaller gatherings in Tel Aviv, near Netanyahu's beach house in central Israel and at dozens of busy intersections nationwide, was one of the largest turnouts in weeks of protests.

Thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets, calling for Netanyahu to resign, protesting his handling of the country's coronavirus crisis and saying he should not remain in office while on trial for corruption charges.

Though Netanyahu has tried to play down the protests, the twice-a-week gatherings show no signs of slowing.

Israeli media estimated at least 10,000 people demonstrated near the official residence in central Jerusalem. Late Saturday, thousands marched through the streets in a noisy but orderly rally.

Demonstrators hoisted Israeli flags and blew loud horns as they marched. Many held posters that said "Crime Minister" and "Bibi Go Home" or accused Netanyahu of being out of touch with the public.

Hundreds of people remained in the area well after midnight, ignoring calls by police to leave.

Anti-riot forces moved into the area and began clearing out people. As of early Sunday morning, most of the remaining people appeared to be leaving peacefully, but police were seen dragging some activists away.

Clashes with police

The rallies against Netanyahu are the largest Israel has seen since 2011 protests against the country's high cost of living.

Netanyahu has dismissed the demonstrators as "leftists" and "anarchists."

Late on Saturday, his Likud party issued a statement that accused Israel's two private TV stations of giving "free and endless publicity" to the protesters and exaggerating the importance of the gatherings.

While the demonstrations have largely been peaceful, there have been signs of violence in recent days.

Some protesters have clashed with police, accusing them of using excessive force, while small gangs of Netanyahu supporters affiliated with a far-right group have assaulted demonstrators. Netanyahu has claimed demonstrators are inciting violence against him.

Israeli police have arrested some 20 far-right activists in recent days, and police said they were on high alert for violence at the demonstrations.

Several arrests of Netanyahu supporters were reported Saturday, including a man who got out of his car in the northern city of Haifa and threw a stone towards a crowd of protesters. Police said a 63-year-old woman was slightly hurt.

The demonstrations are organised by a loose-knit network of activist groups. Some object to Netanyahu remaining in office while he is on trial. He has been charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of scandals. Many carry black flags, the name of the grassroots movement.

Many of the demonstrators, including many young unemployed Israelis, accuse Netanyahu of mishandling the coronavirus crisis and the economic damage it has caused.

After moving quickly to contain the virus earlier in the year, many believe Israel reopened its economy too quickly, leading to a surge in cases.

The country is now coping with record levels of coronavirus, while unemployment has surged to more than 20 percent.

As of Sunday, there were more than 72,000 coronavirus cases reported in Israel with more than 500 confirmed deaths.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...pass-500000-live-updates-200801231108440.html

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thousands of Israelis took to the streets to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's alleged corruption and government's handling of the coronavirus crisis <a href="https://t.co/VlSZEP3tm8">pic.twitter.com/VlSZEP3tm8</a></p>— Reuters (@Reuters) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/1289917617801764864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Thousands of demonstrators have once again filled the streets near the official residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a renewed show of strength as weeks of protests calling for his resignation showed no signs of slowing.

The protesters were angry at the government's handling of the coronavirus crisis and said Netanyahu should not remain in office while on trial for corruption charges.

In central Jerusalem on Saturday evening, protesters held Israeli flags, blew horns and chanted slogans against Netanyahu.

Some held posters that said "Crime Minister" or called him "out of touch", while dressed up as visitors from outer space, in a move aimed at mocking comments by Netanyahu's son, Yair, who caused a public uproar this week when he described the demonstrators as "aliens".

Al Jazeera's Harry Fawcett, reporting from the rally in Jerusalem, described it as "another very noisy, substantial protest".

"Once again, it seems very much dominated by the Israeli political left. We see the black flags of the pro-democracy, anti-Netanyahu movement, and others who have long been protesting against his premiership saying he should resign because of the fact that he is on trial "

Thousands demand Netanyahu quit over coronavirus, corruption (2:38)

Though Netanyahu has tried to downplay the protests, the gatherings only appear to be getting stronger -they are the largest since protests erupted in 2011 against the country's high cost of living.

After moving quickly to contain the coronavirus earlier this year, critics believe Israel reopened its economy too quickly.

The country is now facing a surge in infections - confirmed cases have surpassed 82,000, including 592 deaths - while unemployment has jumped to more than 20 percent.

Self-employed workers, whose businesses have been hurt amid the economic fallout of the pandemic, also joined Saturday's protest.

Dismissing demonstrations
Netanyahu has dismissed the demonstrators as "leftists" and "anarchists" and accused local media of strengthening the protests by giving them heavy coverage.

The Israeli prime minister was sworn in for a fifth term in May after clinching a coalition deal four months ago with centrist Benny Gantz, his main rival in three inconclusive elections since April 2019.

Netanyahu, who heads the right-wing Likud party, has often complained of press bias against him, and some of the charges he faces in a corruption trial related to alleged attempts to seek favourable coverage from media barons in return for state favours.

The prime minister has denied wrongdoing in the three corruption cases against him.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...-anti-netanyahu-protests-200808190858303.html

 

[MenInG]

Thousands of demonstrators have returned to the streets of Jerusalem calling for the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over allegations of corruption and his mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Protesters were seen clashing with police late into the night on Saturday and early on Sunday outside the residence of the embattled prime minister, who had recently clinched a historic diplomatic deal with the United Arab Emirates.

Images from news agencies and social media showed several demonstrators being dragged by police as anti-Netanyahu protests continued for the eighth week.

According to reports, some of the protesters had also attempted to march toward the residence of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin but were prevented by police.

Haaretz newspaper estimated that as many as 50,000 Israelis protested across the country on Saturday.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...-urging-netanyahu-resign-200816021834656.html

 

[Markhor]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Now that he's gone, its your turn," from the anti-Netanyahu rally in Jerusalem. <a href="https://t.co/dZzn85xueT">pic.twitter.com/dZzn85xueT</a></p>— Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) <a href="https://twitter.com/NTarnopolsky/status/1325120296219717632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

We can only dream. 2021 could be the year when the crooks finally face justice.

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-netanyahu-trial/netanyahus-favours-were-currency-prosecutor-says-as-corruption-trial-starts-idUSKBN2BS0HI?il=0

An Israeli prosecutor told a court on Monday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had helped a business couple to clinch deals worth hundred of millions of shekels in exchange for favourable coverage of him on a news website they controlled.

Speaking at the opening of Netanyahu’s corruption trial, state prosecutor Liat Ben-Ari said: “The relationship between Netanyahu and the (co-) defendants became currency, something that could be traded.”

“This currency could distort a public servant’s judgment,” Ben-Ari said.

Netanyahu has pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery, breach of trust and fraud in a case that, along with an inconclusive election last month, has clouded his prospects of remaining in office. It is the first criminal trial of a sitting Israeli prime minister.

In a video statement on his Facebook page after the day’s court session concluded, Netanyahu again accused Israeli legal authorities of mounting a witchhunt to remove “a strong right-wing prime minister” from office.

“This is what a coup attempt looks like,” he said, using a term he has invoked before about the prosecution’s conduct. The state said Netanyahu was responsible for regulations that allowed a telecommunications power-couple, Shaul and Iris Elovitch, to win deals worth “many hundreds of millions of shekels” in return for them sweetening coverage of the premier on the Walla news site, which was then under their control.

Former Walla CEO Alan Yeshua, testifying on behalf of the prosecution, said that while employed there he had been “barraged” by demands from the Elovitchs and by Netanyahu confidants to promote the prime minister and play down or attack his political rivals.

“The Elovitches asked me not to let the editors know that the reason for the requests had to do with imminent regulatory moves,” Yeshua told the court.

The coverage demands prompted “daily arguments” with staff who “put up a fight”, Yeshua said.

Iris Elovitch, who like her husband denies wrongdoing, interrupted Yeshua, shouting: “How much can you lie?”

Netanyahu, who faces two additional cases, arrived at the Jerusalem District Court wearing a dark suit and black protective mask. He huddled with lawyers as protesters for and against him could be heard yelling outside.

He spent an hour in court, departing with its consent before Yeshua testified.

Meanwhile, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin began consulting with party delegations on who might form the next coalition government - a toss-up after the March 23 election, the fourth in two years, gave neither Netanyahu nor his rivals a clear mandate.

Rivlin said ethical considerations could factor into his decision, apparently alluding to Netanyahu’s trial.

“I do not see a way in which a government can be established,” Rivlin told representatives of centrist Yesh Atid, the largest opposition party, which hopes to unseat Netanyahu’s conservative Likud. “The people of Israel should be very concerned that we may be dragged into a fifth election.”

 

[FearlessRoar]

Netanyahu spent $6,275,421 on overseas trips in 2023​

Newly released information shows that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spent $6,275,421 of taxpayer money on overseas trips in 2023.

The information is obtained after the Freedom of Information Movement sues to obtain the details.

According to the details, Netanyahu traveled with his wife Sara and an entourage of between 25 to 36 people on a series of official trips to Paris, Rome, Berlin, London and the US.

His US trip saw him make stops in New York and San Francisco.

There was no breakdown on the makeup of the costs, but since last month the prime minister has been able to use a dedicated aircraft, Israel’s version of Air Force One, and not had to charter a plane from an airline company.

In comparison, former prime minister Naftali Bennett spent some $3.5 million on trips in 2021-2022.

Netanyahu spent $6,275,421 on overseas trips in 2023

* * *

www.timesofisrael.com

 

[Hitman]

Do you guys believe he is the most hated man in the world currently?