James Packer connected to Israeli Prime Minister corruption investigation

JAMES Packer’s connections to Benjamin Netanyahu have been probed in a police investigation into the Israeli Prime Minister.

JAMES Packer’s connections to Benjamin Netanyahu have been probed in an Israeli police investigation into the Israeli Prime Minister.

Netanyahu, who is set to be indicted in two corruption cases, has been presented with a testimony given by the Australian billionaire that strengthened the likelihood of bribery charges against the Israeli PM.

Packer is not accused of any wrongdoing.

“I admire Prime Minister Netanyahu and am happy that I was given the opportunity to be his friend,” Packer said in his testimony, according to Channel 10.

“I was happy to give him presents, many times at his request and his wife Sara’s request.”

The testimony by the Australian businessman is part of a lengthy investigation into allegations that Netanyahu accepted expensive gifts from Packer and Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan.

The recommendations will now go to Attorney-General, who will review the material before deciding whether to file charges.

It is said Netanyahu had accepted gifts valued at about $90,000 (250,000 shekels) from Packer, and about $270,000 (750,000 shekels) from Milchan.

Packer struck up a friendship with Netanyahu in 2014 after the pair were introduced by Milchan, before the casino mogul bought a waterfront home next door to the Israeli PM in Caesarea, a town on Israel’s Mediterranean coast.

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James Packer at the Crown AGM in Melbourne, October 2017. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

Packer was also a special guest at speeches delivered by Netanyahu to the US Congress and United Nations General Assembly in 2015.

Israeli police spent months trying to interview Packer as part of the probe.

Australian Federal Police eventually questioned him in Melbourne in December 2016, with Packer attending the interview voluntarily.

Police said Netanyahu had operated on Milchan’s behalf on US visa matters, legislating a tax break and connecting him with an Indian businessman.

It said he also helped Milchan, an Israeli producer whose credits include Pretty Woman, 12 Years a Slave and JFK, in the Israeli media market.

Netanyahu can remain in office during the investigation, which could drag on for months.

But with a cloud hanging over his head, he could soon find himself facing calls to step aside.

Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, a bitter rival of Netanyahu, called on him to suspend himself and for the coalition to appoint a replacement on Wednesday morning.

“The depth of corruption is horrifying,” Barak said.

In the second case, known as “File 2000,” Netanyahu reportedly was recorded asking Arnon Mozes, the publisher of the Yediot Ahronot daily, for positive coverage in exchange for reining in a free pro-Netanyahu daily that had cut into Yediot’s business.

Police said there was sufficient evidence to charge both Milchan and Mozes with bribery. There was no immediate comment from either of the men.

In his TV address, Netanyahu said that his entire three-decade political career, which included serving as Israel’s ambassador to the UN, a stint at prime minister in the 1990s and a series of Cabinet posts, were meant only to serve the Israeli public.

He acknowledged aiding Milchan with his visa issues, but said Milchan had done much for Israel and noted that the late Shimon Peres, had also been close with Milchan.

He also said that over the years he had taken decisions that hurt Milchan’s business interests in Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Chief of the Israeli police, Commissioner Roni Alsheikh, who recommended Netanyahu be indicted in two cases of alleged corruption after a long-running probe. Picture: AFP/Thomas Coex and Tsafrir Abayov

“How can allegations be taken seriously that in exchange for cigars I acted for Arnon Milchen’s benefit?” he said.

He said all the allegations over the years against him had one goal: “to topple me from government”.

He said past scandals had all “ended with nothing” and “this time as well they will end with nothing”.

As the police investigation gained steam in recent months, Netanyahu has claimed to be a victim of an overaggressive police force and a media witch hunt.

Netanyahu, who has been prime minister for nine straight years, and his family have become embroiled in a series of scandals in recent months.

Recordings recently emerged of his wife, Sara, screaming at an aide, while separate recordings emerged of his eldest son, Yair, on a drunken night out at a series of Tel Aviv strip clubs while travelling around in a taxpayer-funded government car with a government-funded bodyguard.

Netanyahu has said the scandals are all the work of media out to get him.

- Ian Deitch and Aron Heller contributed reporting.