Fraud and Corruption – A Tradition Amongst Israel’s Leadership
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| Arnon Milchan, left, and Benjamin Netanyahu on March 28, 2005. (Flash90) |
It would
seem that Netanyahu is on record as having agreed favours to a business in
return for political support. He has
also admitted receiving hundreds of thousands of shekels in cigars and other
luxuries. His wife Sarah drank the
finest champagnes courtesy of ‘friends’. Why is this of no surprise. Israel’s previous Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert is currently in prison for bribery and corruption and
ex-President Moshe Katsav has just come out of prison, not for corruption but rape
and sexual assault. The Present Interior Minister Aryeh Deri of Shas served three years in prison for corruption when he was previously a Minister.
seem that Netanyahu is on record as having agreed favours to a business in
return for political support. He has
also admitted receiving hundreds of thousands of shekels in cigars and other
luxuries. His wife Sarah drank the
finest champagnes courtesy of ‘friends’. Why is this of no surprise. Israel’s previous Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert is currently in prison for bribery and corruption and
ex-President Moshe Katsav has just come out of prison, not for corruption but rape
and sexual assault. The Present Interior Minister Aryeh Deri of Shas served three years in prison for corruption when he was previously a Minister.
The extreme
corruption of Israel’s political layers is just the other side of the coin from
their racism and brutality.
corruption of Israel’s political layers is just the other side of the coin from
their racism and brutality.
However, despite the Police investigations it is possible that with the help of his friend Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, that he will yet avoid prosecution.
Tony
Greenstein
Greenstein
Taking
gifts from ‘sugar daddy’ is corruption, ex-Labor leader says of Netanyahu
Opposition politicians criticize PM’s conduct as
police probe his receipt of costly cigars, other alleged favors, from Hollywood
producer Arnon Milchan
police probe his receipt of costly cigars, other alleged favors, from Hollywood
producer Arnon Milchan
By Times of Israel staff January 7, 2017,
Zionist
Union MK Shelly Yachimovich criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Saturday for taking gifts from a “sugar daddy,” after police questioned the
Israeli leader for allegedly accepting expensive cigars for years from
Hollywood producer and businessman Arnon Milchan, as well as more goods from a
second businessman.
Union MK Shelly Yachimovich criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Saturday for taking gifts from a “sugar daddy,” after police questioned the
Israeli leader for allegedly accepting expensive cigars for years from
Hollywood producer and businessman Arnon Milchan, as well as more goods from a
second businessman.
“The prime minister had a sugar daddy for
expensive products; that is the definition of corruption,”
expensive products; that is the definition of corruption,”
Yachimovich, a
former leader of the Labor party, said at an event in Tel Aviv, according to
Israel Radio.
former leader of the Labor party, said at an event in Tel Aviv, according to
Israel Radio.
At a
different event Saturday in Modi’in, fellow Zionist Union MK Tzipi Livni lashed
out at Netanyahu as well, saying bitterly that an Israeli prime minister must
decide “whether he wants to be a prime minister or an oligarch.”
different event Saturday in Modi’in, fellow Zionist Union MK Tzipi Livni lashed
out at Netanyahu as well, saying bitterly that an Israeli prime minister must
decide “whether he wants to be a prime minister or an oligarch.”
Instead
of concentrating on what he can give to the public, Netanyahu evidently focuses
on what the public can give to him, she charged. Netanyahu “has lost the moral
right to be prime minister,” Livni said.
of concentrating on what he can give to the public, Netanyahu evidently focuses
on what the public can give to him, she charged. Netanyahu “has lost the moral
right to be prime minister,” Livni said.
Meretz
head MK Zehava Galon joined in, asserting that the initial details of the
investigation should cause serious concern for Israelis.
head MK Zehava Galon joined in, asserting that the initial details of the
investigation should cause serious concern for Israelis.
 |
| Hatnua’s Tzipi Livni shakes hands with Labor Party leader Shelly Yachimovich in November 2012 (photo credit: Yossi Zeliger/Flash90) |
“Getting
a monthly allowance amounting to hundreds of thousands of shekels over the
years from Arnon Milchan is not a gift among friends, it’s a disturbing package
deal,” Galon said.
a monthly allowance amounting to hundreds of thousands of shekels over the
years from Arnon Milchan is not a gift among friends, it’s a disturbing package
deal,” Galon said.
 |
| Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his wife Sara (C) and their son Yair seen with actress Kate Hudson at an event held at the home of producer Arnon Milchan (right), March 6, 2014. (Avi Ohayon/GPO/Flash90) |
Netanyahu
was questioned by police under caution on Thursday evening for five hours — the
second such session in four days — as the corruption investigation against him
gathered pace. Among the issues reportedly discussed was his alleged acceptance
of cigars worth hundreds of thousands of shekels from Milchan, and his wife
Sara’s acceptance of pink champagne worth hundreds of shekels a bottle.
was questioned by police under caution on Thursday evening for five hours — the
second such session in four days — as the corruption investigation against him
gathered pace. Among the issues reportedly discussed was his alleged acceptance
of cigars worth hundreds of thousands of shekels from Milchan, and his wife
Sara’s acceptance of pink champagne worth hundreds of shekels a bottle.
Police were
also investigating a second case involving Netanyahu, though details
surrounding the probe have not yet been released to the public. A source told
Channel 2 news that this case, reportedly known as Case 2,000, would cause “a
public storm” and “public anger” but would not necessarily lead to an
indictment. It involved an Israeli businessman, the source said, who had sought
to provide benefits to the Israeli leader in return for receiving certain
perks.
also investigating a second case involving Netanyahu, though details
surrounding the probe have not yet been released to the public. A source told
Channel 2 news that this case, reportedly known as Case 2,000, would cause “a
public storm” and “public anger” but would not necessarily lead to an
indictment. It involved an Israeli businessman, the source said, who had sought
to provide benefits to the Israeli leader in return for receiving certain
perks.
 |
Attorney Yaakov Weinroth on Channel 2’s “Meet the Press,” November 26, 2016. (screen capture) |
Channel
10 reported a similar sentiment from investigative officials, with the
broadcaster’s reporters being told the case was “juicy” and publicly harmful,
but was complex and not straightforward as far as the law was concerned.
10 reported a similar sentiment from investigative officials, with the
broadcaster’s reporters being told the case was “juicy” and publicly harmful,
but was complex and not straightforward as far as the law was concerned.
Channel
10 said the businessman was a “central” Israeli figure who wanted Netanyahu to
“take a certain decision,” and would reward him in turn, and that it was not
clear whether Netanyahu had taken the decision.
10 said the businessman was a “central” Israeli figure who wanted Netanyahu to
“take a certain decision,” and would reward him in turn, and that it was not
clear whether Netanyahu had taken the decision.
TV
reports Friday night said that more witnesses will be questioned in the next
few days, and then a decision will be made on whether to question Netanyahu a
third time.
reports Friday night said that more witnesses will be questioned in the next
few days, and then a decision will be made on whether to question Netanyahu a
third time.
Netanyahu’s
lawyer on Friday dismissed the seriousness of the Milchan probe. Yaakov
Weinroth rejected the notion that there was anything criminal in the prime
minister’s actions and said he had nothing to fear from the second case either.
Weinroth, who consulted with his client at the end of Thursday’s questioning,
said “there is nothing to the allegations” as regards Milchan’s gifts. “Any
reasonable person knows that there is nothing remotely criminal involved when a
close friend gives his friend a gift of cigars.”
lawyer on Friday dismissed the seriousness of the Milchan probe. Yaakov
Weinroth rejected the notion that there was anything criminal in the prime
minister’s actions and said he had nothing to fear from the second case either.
Weinroth, who consulted with his client at the end of Thursday’s questioning,
said “there is nothing to the allegations” as regards Milchan’s gifts. “Any
reasonable person knows that there is nothing remotely criminal involved when a
close friend gives his friend a gift of cigars.”
As for
the second case, Weinroth said that he has heard Netanyahu’s answers and “I was
and I remain calm… We’re not talking about money, we’re not talking about
loans, we’re not talking about anything that constitutes a crime.” It will
become clear to all, he added, that there is “no suspicion, no trace, of a
criminal offense in all of this.”
the second case, Weinroth said that he has heard Netanyahu’s answers and “I was
and I remain calm… We’re not talking about money, we’re not talking about
loans, we’re not talking about anything that constitutes a crime.” It will
become clear to all, he added, that there is “no suspicion, no trace, of a
criminal offense in all of this.”
Police
have said a second, unnamed suspect has also been interrogated in recent days.
Some reports indicated this second individual was Milchan.
have said a second, unnamed suspect has also been interrogated in recent days.
Some reports indicated this second individual was Milchan.
Police
said they could not provide further details on the second corruption case due
to concerns about possible obstructions of justice. They did not elaborate.
Haaretz said police investigators warned Netanyahu on Thursday not to discuss
the case with other suspects, because this could constitute obstruction of
justice.
said they could not provide further details on the second corruption case due
to concerns about possible obstructions of justice. They did not elaborate.
Haaretz said police investigators warned Netanyahu on Thursday not to discuss
the case with other suspects, because this could constitute obstruction of
justice.
Netanyahu’s
office made no official comment on Thursday night, but the prime minister has
repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. In a three-hour interview with police on
Monday, Netanyahu acknowledged that he had received gifts from businessmen, but
insisted they were entirely legal,
office made no official comment on Thursday night, but the prime minister has
repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. In a three-hour interview with police on
Monday, Netanyahu acknowledged that he had received gifts from businessmen, but
insisted they were entirely legal,
Weinroth said Tuesday.
Channel 2
news reported that Netanyahu received the cigars from Milchan over the last 7-8
years. Sara received bottles of Dom Perignon pink champagne worth hundreds of
shekels apiece during that period, the TV report said. It specified that the
cigars included Cohiba Sigla V, Trinidad and Montecristo, and said each such
cigar cost some 250 shekels (about $65).
news reported that Netanyahu received the cigars from Milchan over the last 7-8
years. Sara received bottles of Dom Perignon pink champagne worth hundreds of
shekels apiece during that period, the TV report said. It specified that the
cigars included Cohiba Sigla V, Trinidad and Montecristo, and said each such
cigar cost some 250 shekels (about $65).
Netanyahu
is known as a connoisseur of fine cigars, and Channel 2 asserted the prime
minister smokes 15,000-20,000 shekels’ worth of them each month.
is known as a connoisseur of fine cigars, and Channel 2 asserted the prime
minister smokes 15,000-20,000 shekels’ worth of them each month.
Some 50
people are said to have testified to date in the probe.
people are said to have testified to date in the probe.
Sources
close to Netanyahu have pointed out that Milchan — whose films include “Fight
Club” and
close to Netanyahu have pointed out that Milchan — whose films include “Fight
Club” and
“Pretty Woman” — sits on the board of Channel 10, which the prime
minister has previously tried to shutter.
minister has previously tried to shutter.
Channel
10 is also partially owned by US billionaire and World Jewish Congress President
Ronald Lauder, who has also been questioned by police in connection with the
case. Lauder, whose family founded the Estee Lauder cosmetics giant, has long
been seen as an ally of Netanyahu.
10 is also partially owned by US billionaire and World Jewish Congress President
Ronald Lauder, who has also been questioned by police in connection with the
case. Lauder, whose family founded the Estee Lauder cosmetics giant, has long
been seen as an ally of Netanyahu.
Attorney
General Avichai Mandelblit, who is overseeing the investigation against
Netanyahu, has said the prime minister is suspected of “receiving improper
benefits from businessmen.” He has provided few other details.
General Avichai Mandelblit, who is overseeing the investigation against
Netanyahu, has said the prime minister is suspected of “receiving improper
benefits from businessmen.” He has provided few other details.
Netanyahu
has also acknowledged receiving money from French tycoon Arnaud Mimran, who was
sentenced to eight years in prison in France over a scam involving the trade of
carbon emissions permits and taxes on them.
has also acknowledged receiving money from French tycoon Arnaud Mimran, who was
sentenced to eight years in prison in France over a scam involving the trade of
carbon emissions permits and taxes on them.
The Prime
Minister’s Office said Netanyahu received $40,000 in contributions from Mimran
in 2001, when he was not in office, as part of a fund for public activities,
including appearances abroad to promote Israel.
Minister’s Office said Netanyahu received $40,000 in contributions from Mimran
in 2001, when he was not in office, as part of a fund for public activities,
including appearances abroad to promote Israel.
AFP
contributed to this report. See
also Police said to have recordings of
Netanyahu, businessman discussing ‘quid pro quo’
contributed to this report. See
also Police said to have recordings of
Netanyahu, businessman discussing ‘quid pro quo’
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