Israeli police recommend bribery charges against PM Netanyahu

JERUSALEM, Feb. 15– Israeli police on Tuesday recommended
charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust against Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu in two separate corruption cases.

After the month-long investigation, the police handed over their
recommendation to Israel’s Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who will
decide whether to press charges against the prime minister.In a formal
statement, seen by Xinhua, the police said that they have concluded that
there is “sufficient evidence” against Netanyahu in the cases.In the first
case, dubbed by the police “case 1000,” Netanyahu allegedly accepted
bribery from an Israeli businessman and Hollywood tycoon Arnon Milchan, and
an Australian businessman, James Packer.The police said between 2007 and
2016, Netanyahu and his family received expensive cigars, champagne, and
jewelry worth about a million shekels (282,800 U.S. dollars).

Following the re-election of Netanyahu as prime minister in 2009, “the
scope and frequency of the transfer of goods increased significantly,” the
statement said.In return for the goods, Netanyahu allegedly approached U.S.
officials and asked them to extend Milchan’s visa to the United States.He
also acted to promote a law that gives tax exemption for returning Israeli
residents who were living abroad for over 10 years, known as the “Milchan
Bill,” and helped Milchan to promote his investment in the Israeli media.In
another case, dubbed “case 2000,” Netanyahu allegedly received bribes from
Arnon Mozes, the publisher of Yedioth Aharonoth, one of Israel’s largest
newspapers.

The police said Netanyahu and Mozes held talks over an “exchange deal,” in
which Netanyahu would receive favorable coverage in Yediot Aharonot in
return for promoting a law and other measures that would limit the
distribution of Israel Hayom, Yedioth’s main rival.Netanyahu maintained his
innocence in a video statement broadcast on all of the main channels in the
country and on his Facebook page.He accused the police of launching the
investigation in order to “topple” him from power.”Things will end without
anything,” he said in an address from the courtyard of the official Prime
Minister’s residence in Jerusalem.”These recommendations have no place in a
democratic state,” he said.Lawmakers with the opposition called on
Netanyahu to resign, saying he is not capable of performing his duties
under the serious suspicion.But sources close to Netanyahu said he would
resign only if he was found guilty in the court of law. – XINHUA