Billionaire James Packer’s testimony in Case 1000 strengthens the suspicion of fraud and breach of trust against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to media reports.
Law enforcement officials were quoted on Channel 10 News, saying that Packer’s testimony is significant to this case.
The contents of Packer’s testimony are still unknown, but reports say they strengthen Milchan’s version.
Packer, who is considered a key witness in the “gifts affair,” was tracked down after extended searches and delivered his testimony earlier this week. It was stressed Packer is not suspect, so his questioning was dubbed as an “open testimony,” and not as questioning under caution.
It was reported that the questioning was conducted by Australian federal police investigators, in cooperation with a special Israeli team composed of Lahav 433 investigators and prosecutors. Reports mentioned that the questioning procedure was done with coordination with Packer, and with his consent.
Packer is reportedly suspected of delivering expensive gifts to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It was reported that Packer was asked by international movie producer Arnon Milchan — who confirmed delivering gifts in the past — to “bear with him the gifts burden,” gifts given to Netanyahu and his wife, Sara.
Recently, the testimony of Hadas Klein, who worked as a personal assistant for both Milchan and Packer, was published. Klein is considered a key witness in this investigation.
In her testimony, she talked about massive supplies of champagne and cigars. However, she said she did not know whether Milchan received anything in return.
Channel 2 News reported Thursday that Klein said in her testimony that in some incidents Netanyahu himself demanded the gifts, and told her what cigars she should buy.
The prime minister has acknowledged accepting gifts from Milchan, but maintains they were exchanged between friends and did not constitute bribery or breach of trust. He has denied any wrongdoing.
“It is allowed, according to the law, to receive gifts from friends,” Netanyahu said at the Knesset in January.
But the Channel 2 News report revealed a part of Milchan’s testimony, that contradicts Netanyahu’s claim.
“These are not exactly gifts — these are demands, and you do not demand gifts. I was disgusted by that,” Milchan reportedly said.
Police are currently checking whether Netanyahu has done anything in return after receiving these gifts.
In response to the reports, Netanyahu said in his Facebook page: “As usual, the TV channels did not approach us for a response to the daily broadcast of the tendentious and false leaks.
“This is yet anther attempt to revive a story that has nothing, by false and illegal leaks that has nothing in them. The public has long been fed up with the orchestrated media witch-hunt with the goal of toppling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and replacing him not via the ballot box.
“We herby repeat: The will be nothing, because there is nothing.”
According to reports, Netanyahu is expected to be questioned for the seventh time in the next 10 days.
Article source: http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/IDF-tanks-fire-on-Gaza-after-mortar-attack-515680
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