Benjamin Netanyahu: James Packer caught up in Israel Prime Minister scandal

AUSSIE billionaire James Packer has been named as a witness in a corruption case that could see Israel’s Prime Minister charged.

POLICE are on the verge of indicting Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on corruption charges after an investigation into his dealings with businessmen including receiving lavish gifts from Australian billionaire James Packer.

Israeli police on Tuesday recommended that Mr Netanyahu be indicted in two cases of alleged corruption after a long-running probe.

Mr Netanyahu, who has repeatedly said he has done nothing wrong, is not expected to resign and told a nationwide TV address the allegations would “come to nothing”.

Mr Netanyahu denied allegations that he accepted lavish gifts, including champagne and expensive cigars, from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan in exchange for doing favours.

He also is suspected of offering preferential treatment to a newspaper publisher in exchange for favourable coverage.

Mr Packer is also among those mentioned in the corruption case, although there is no suggestion of wrongdoing on his part.

“I admire Prime Minister Netanyahu and am happy that I was given the opportunity to be his friend,” Mr 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.”

Israeli police have not recommended charges against Mr Packer, but have recommended charged against Milchan.

Caption: Australian billionaire James Packer is among those named in the case. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

The testimony by the Australian businessman is part of a long investigation into allegations that Mr Netanyahu accepted expensive gifts from Mr Packer and Mr Milchan.

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

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

A police statement cited by ABC said there was evidence against Netanyahu on suspicion of “fraud and breach of trust in connection with the Australian businessman James Packer”.

Times reporter Raoul Wootliff last year said Mr Packer was believed to be the final person police are seeking to give testimony in the Netanyahu illicit gifts probe.

BREAKING: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be charged with corruption following a police investigation. #9News pic.twitter.com/z7zJi1FX6v

— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) February 13, 2018

A decision to press formal charges against the long-serving Mr Netanyahu now rests with the Attorney-General’s office, which is expected to take weeks or months to decide how to proceed.

A prime minister who is facing such police recommendations or who has been formally charged with offences is not obliged to resign, but if charged Mr Netanyahu would likely face mounting pressure to do so.

He would be legally forced to step down if convicted and with all appeals exhausted.

Parliament, however, could also enact a special procedure against him before his case is exhausted if he is found to be guilty of moral turpitude.

Various Israeli media reported that police had informed Mr Netanyahu’s lawyers that they were recommending his indictment in both corruption cases involving him that they have been investigating.

Mr Netanyahu has been prime minister for a total of nearly 12 years.

Expensive gifts police have been investigating him over include pricey cigars and champagne, reportedly worth some tens of thousands of dollars.

The PM’s wife allegedly received bottles of pink champagne.

Police have also been probing allegations that Mr Netanyahu sought a secret deal for favourable coverage with the publisher of top-selling newspaper Yediot Aharonot.

— with AFP