Police recommends indicting Netanyahu for bribery | Ynet News |
The Israel Police announced Tuesday there is sufficient evidence to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in two cases against him, Case 1000 and Case 2000.
Case 1000 concerns illicit gifts Netanyahu allegedly received from business moguls Arnon Milchan and James Packer, whereas Case 2000 concerns talks the premier had with Yedioth Ahronoth owner and publisher Arnon Mozes regarding the Israel Hayom daily.
The police also recommended the indictment of Milchan for giving bribes and Mozes for offering bribes.
The recommendations now go to Attorney General Avihai Mendelblit, who will review the material before deciding whether to file charges. Netanyahu can remain in office during that process, which could drag on for months.
Case 1000: History of favors given, gifts taken
In Case 1000, the police announced that evidence and testimonies indicate that Netanyahu used his position to influence government policy for the betterment of his associates, while he and his family received kickbacks in return.
The gifts the Netanyahus received–such as cigars, champagne and jewelry–were given over the course of about a decade, reaching a total of about NIS 1 million–NIS 750,000 in gifts from Milchan and about NIS 250,000 from Packer, according to the police.
Among other things, the police said that Yesh Atid party leader MK Yair Lapid served as a key witness in Case 1000.
○ Adelson’s Yisrael HaYom Doing for Gingrich What It Does for Bibi | Tikun Olam |
○ Confidential, The Life of Secret Agent Turned Hollywood Tycoon Arnon Milchan
More below the fold …
[Update-1] Boy Prince in Real Estate …
○ SEC dropped inquiry a month after firm aided Kushner company | CNBC – March 2, 2018 |
- The Securities and Exchange Commission late last year dropped its inquiry
into a financial company that a month earlier had given White House adviser
Jared Kushner’s family real estate firm a $180 million loan.
Kushner’s family and business ties to Israel are well known ….
○ Kushner’s financial ties to Israel raise questions over peace broker role | Middle East Monitor |
○ Globalisation: Katsyv links Moscow – London – NY – Tel Aviv
Attorney General Knew That Private Investigators Were Tailing Actors in Netanyahu Probe
The Police investigation makes the recommendation for indictment. In a normal procedure the Attorney General follows the recommendation. In case of a Prime Minister, he does not need to step down once indicted. It would take a no-confidence vote in the Knesset to make him leave the Office of Prime Minister. The Likud Party would nominate a new leader and PM. AFAIK
There will be a lingering political crisis in Israel and endless debates in the Knesset causing months of delay before the AG makes his call.
○ Reminder: They got Capone on tax evasion | Mondoweiss |
○ Tax breaks, visas, et al: The 6 frauds for which police want Netanyahu charged
○ PM Netanyahu: ‘Police recommendations have more holes than Swiss cheese, no new elections’
Further reading …
○ Bibitours: Overseas Trips Involved 30 Knesset Ethics Violations | Tikun Olam – 2011 |
○ New York Times Egypt-Israel Scoop That Never Was | Tikun Olam |