OCCUPIED JERUSALEM — Israeli media say police will question Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a fourth time in corruption investigations concerning his ties with top executives in media, international business and Hollywood.
Local media say police will question Netanyahu on Monday as part of two ongoing investigations. Police declined to confirm this.
One investigation, dubbed “File 1000,” reportedly concerns claims that Netanyahu improperly accepted lavish gifts from wealthy supporters, including Australian billionaire James Packer and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan.
The second investigation, “File 2000,” reportedly concerns Netanyahu’s alleged attempts to strike a deal with publisher Arnon Mozes of the Yediot Ahronot newspaper group to promote legislation to weaken Yediot’s main competitor in exchange for more favorable coverage of him by Yediot.
Netanyahu has denied wrongdoing and claims a media witch hunt against him.
Last week, Lahav officers complained their inquiry has been repeatedly held up by Netanyahu’s frequent travels abroad. In recent weeks the prime minister has visited the United Kingdom, United States, Singapore and Australia, and on Thursday, he will be traveling to Russia.
Channel 2 said previously that police investigators are also having a difficult time setting up interviews with two key persons in the investigations, namely Israeli Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, who allegedly provided Netanyahu and his wife Sara with expensive cigars and champagne valued at hundreds of thousands of shekels, and Australian businessman, James Packer, who is said to have paid for expensive meals and accommodation for the Netanyahus’ son Yair.
According to unnamed sources quoted recently by Channel 2, Netanyahu told police that he did not know anything about bottles of champagne supposedly given to his wife, and said that he bought most of the cigars in cash from a “relative.”
But Milchan and his personal assistant, as well as other associates of the Hollywood producer, have told police investigators the items were bought at the request of the Netanyahus.
The detectives, Channel 2 reported, have receipts and concrete evidence showing that the bubbly, cigars and some pieces of jewelry were allegedly transferred to the Netanyahu family in what is described as a “systematic” manner.
Last month police said the Case 1000 investigation would likely lead to a recommendation to indict Netanyahu. Officials said they were looking at two options: accusing the premier of breach of trust only, or adding the more serious charge of accepting a bribe.
Netanyahu swung back at police and in a statement released by his office, chastised the police for indicating that a recommendation to indict was likely before the investigation is completed, but then asking for more interviews.
“What is there more to investigate if they indicated that they will recommend an indictment? This is what happens when pre-conceived notions clash with the facts. Like I’ve said before: ‘There will be nothing because there is nothing,’” Netanyahu said in the statement.
