Police: Enough evidence to charge Bibi
After months of rumours and leaks, investigations against Benjamin Netanyahu have reached a crescendo, and police have concluded there is enough evidence to indict him.
AFTER months of rumours and leaks, investigations against Benjamin Netanyahu have reached a crescendo, and police have concluded there is enough evidence to indict him.
The probe into suspicions that Netanyahu accepted inappropriate gifts from wealthy men who live abroad is complete, police said in a statement supplied to The AJN – which names Australian businessman James Packer as one of the figures whose ties to the PM is under scrutiny.
Netanyahu’s political rivals are calling for him to resign.
Opposition leader Isaac Herzog commented that Tuesday night was a “difficult, painful and very sad evening for the citizens of the State of Israel”.
Stating, “The police recommendations presented this evening present a very harsh picture of the Prime Minister’s conduct,” he added that the state must not be “dragged into months of unprecedented political uncertainty”.
“There is no way to govern a country while under such heavy suspicion,” said Yair Lapid, leader of the Yesh Atid party.
He added, “Even if the law does not require the Prime Minister to resign, someone who has such serious accusations against them, many of which he does not deny, cannot continue to serve as Prime Minister with responsibility for the security and well-being of Israel’s citizens.”
The police statement says that there is “sufficient evidence” against Netanyahu for “fraud and breach of trust in connection with the Australian businessman James Packer.”
And it says that there is also enough evidence “for the offence of accepting bribes, fraud and breach of trust” regarding Netanyahu’s relationship with filmmaker Arnon Milchan.
According to police Milchan is thought to have given Netanyahu goods worth NIS750,000, including champagne, and Packer is suspected of having given him goods worth NIS250,000. Netanyahu is suspected of advancing their interests.
While Packer is mentioned, there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on his part.
Police also say they have the necessary evidence in the case of Netanyahu allegedly trying to cut a deal with the publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth to improve the media coverage he receives.
In this instance, police have conceded that there “is sufficient evidence against the PM in this case for the offences of bribery, fraud and breach of trust”.
As soon as the police announced that it had passed the files to the state prosecutor, Netanyahu took to the airwaves with a televised address. “You know I do everything with only one thing in mind; the good of the country,” he said. “Not for cigars from a friend, not for media coverage, not for anything. Only for the good of the state.”
Netanyahu, who in recent days called the “impartiality of the investigation” into question, said in his televised reaction to the Israeli people that he will “continue to lead Israel responsibly and faithfully”.
He was “sure that the truth will come to light” and “sure that also in the next election that will take place on time I will win your trust again with God’s help”.
But while Netanyahu can continue in office even if indicted, calls for his resignation are starting to reach fever pitch – especially as many Israelis recall that he urged former prime minister Ehud Olmert to resign in the light of corruption probes.
As of press time, anti-Netanyahu protesters were saying that they expect the biggest demonstrations yet to take place this weekend.
Former prime minister Ehud Barak said, “The depth of corruption is horrifying.”
NATHAN JEFFAY and JTA
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