23 sept 2017
The Israeli police intend to interrogate Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu once again after the end of Jewish holidays in mid-October over new developments regarding his involvement in corruption scandals.
Maariv newspaper quoted a senior Israeli police officer as saying that the accusations against Netanyahu became more solid after his ex-chief of staff Ari Harow testified against him.
Netanyahu is facing three graft cases, including two dubbed "1000" and "2000" by the police. These two cases involve serious confessions made by Harow.
In Case 1000, Netanyahu and his wife Sara are suspected of receiving illicit gifts from billionaire benefactors, most notably hundreds of thousands of shekels’ worth of cigars and champagne from the Israeli-born Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan.
In Case 2000, Netanyahu is suspected to have colluded with Arnon Mozes, publisher of Israel’s daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth to undermine the circulation of Israel’s free daily paper, Israel Hayom. The latter is a free daily sponsored by American billionaire Sheldon Adelson, a casino magnate with tremendous influence on Israeli politics.
For its part, Israel’s Channel 10 said that the police would soon recommend to the state prosecutor (attorney general) to indict Netanyahu on bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
The channel noted that the police would also interview Netanyahu later on the submarine affair, which is termed Case 3000.
This case involves accusations of bribery in a deal to purchase three submarines and a number of military ships from Germany.
Maariv newspaper quoted a senior Israeli police officer as saying that the accusations against Netanyahu became more solid after his ex-chief of staff Ari Harow testified against him.
Netanyahu is facing three graft cases, including two dubbed "1000" and "2000" by the police. These two cases involve serious confessions made by Harow.
In Case 1000, Netanyahu and his wife Sara are suspected of receiving illicit gifts from billionaire benefactors, most notably hundreds of thousands of shekels’ worth of cigars and champagne from the Israeli-born Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan.
In Case 2000, Netanyahu is suspected to have colluded with Arnon Mozes, publisher of Israel’s daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth to undermine the circulation of Israel’s free daily paper, Israel Hayom. The latter is a free daily sponsored by American billionaire Sheldon Adelson, a casino magnate with tremendous influence on Israeli politics.
For its part, Israel’s Channel 10 said that the police would soon recommend to the state prosecutor (attorney general) to indict Netanyahu on bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
The channel noted that the police would also interview Netanyahu later on the submarine affair, which is termed Case 3000.
This case involves accusations of bribery in a deal to purchase three submarines and a number of military ships from Germany.
11 sept 2011
Yair Netanyahu, who is reportedly behind much of his father’s social media stunts, recently published a cartoon portraying George Soros as the All-Powerful Jew who controls the world, according to 972mag.
The cartoon shows Manny Naftali, the former superintendent of the Prime Minister’s Residence, who is at the forefront of the struggle to put pressure on the police to indict Netanyahu for corruption, being baited by Israeli politico Eldad Yaniv, who is seen baited by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
Barak is seen tempted by the money of the Illuminati, who, according to the cartoon, are being tempted by a Reptilian — a common anti-Semitic codeword for Jews. The Reptilian, for his part, is portrayed as controlling the world in the service of the Grand Jew: George Soros.
Yair published the cartoon after his mother, Sara, was officially told she would face fraud charges for misusing public funds in her management of the prime minister’s official residence.
Netanyahu's son just published an anti-Semitic cartoon on Facebook
Yair Netanyahu, who reportedly is behind much of his father’s social media stunts, publishes a cartoon portraying George Soros as the All-Powerful Jew who controls the world.
Yair Netanyahu, son of the prime minister, outdid even his father on Saturday when he published an anti-Semitic cartoon on his personal Facebook page.
The cartoon shows Manny Naftali, the former superintendent of the Prime Minister’s Residence, who is at the forefront of the struggle to put pressure on the police to indict Netanyahu for corruption, being baited by Israeli politico Eldad Yaniv, who is seen baited by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Barak is seen tempted by the money of the Illuminati, who according to the cartoon are being tempted by a Reptilian — a common anti-Semitic codeword for Jews. The Reptilian, for his part, is portrayed as controlling the world in the service of the Grand Jew: George Soros.
Yair published the cartoon after his mother, Sara, was officially told she would face fraud charges for misusing public funds in her management of the prime minister’s official residence. The Netanyahu family has repeatedly sought to place the blame for those misused funds squarely on Naftali. While the prime minister has used graphs and tables to try to prove Naftali’s culpability — which likely did little to assuage Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and Police Chief Roni Alsheikh — his son took a far more disturbing route.
The cartoon is signed by Matzenksh (shorthand for an anti-leftist meme page) but is entirely based on a caricature used to depict the ways in which Jews control the United States and lead the American people astray. A quick visit to the various websites that have published the original or its variations are stomach-churning for their unbridled anti-Semitism. This is the cartoon the prime minister’s son chose to publish.
Just under a month ago, following the white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia, Yair published a Facebook status in which he said that Nazism is a problem of the past, and that the real issue is the “Antifa bullies” and “Black Lives Matters.” A few months ago, Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the Foreign Ministry to refrain from criticizing the Hungarian government for its anti-Semitic campaign against George Soros.
The cartoon shows Manny Naftali, the former superintendent of the Prime Minister’s Residence, who is at the forefront of the struggle to put pressure on the police to indict Netanyahu for corruption, being baited by Israeli politico Eldad Yaniv, who is seen baited by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
Barak is seen tempted by the money of the Illuminati, who, according to the cartoon, are being tempted by a Reptilian — a common anti-Semitic codeword for Jews. The Reptilian, for his part, is portrayed as controlling the world in the service of the Grand Jew: George Soros.
Yair published the cartoon after his mother, Sara, was officially told she would face fraud charges for misusing public funds in her management of the prime minister’s official residence.
Netanyahu's son just published an anti-Semitic cartoon on Facebook
Yair Netanyahu, who reportedly is behind much of his father’s social media stunts, publishes a cartoon portraying George Soros as the All-Powerful Jew who controls the world.
Yair Netanyahu, son of the prime minister, outdid even his father on Saturday when he published an anti-Semitic cartoon on his personal Facebook page.
The cartoon shows Manny Naftali, the former superintendent of the Prime Minister’s Residence, who is at the forefront of the struggle to put pressure on the police to indict Netanyahu for corruption, being baited by Israeli politico Eldad Yaniv, who is seen baited by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Barak is seen tempted by the money of the Illuminati, who according to the cartoon are being tempted by a Reptilian — a common anti-Semitic codeword for Jews. The Reptilian, for his part, is portrayed as controlling the world in the service of the Grand Jew: George Soros.
Yair published the cartoon after his mother, Sara, was officially told she would face fraud charges for misusing public funds in her management of the prime minister’s official residence. The Netanyahu family has repeatedly sought to place the blame for those misused funds squarely on Naftali. While the prime minister has used graphs and tables to try to prove Naftali’s culpability — which likely did little to assuage Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and Police Chief Roni Alsheikh — his son took a far more disturbing route.
The cartoon is signed by Matzenksh (shorthand for an anti-leftist meme page) but is entirely based on a caricature used to depict the ways in which Jews control the United States and lead the American people astray. A quick visit to the various websites that have published the original or its variations are stomach-churning for their unbridled anti-Semitism. This is the cartoon the prime minister’s son chose to publish.
Just under a month ago, following the white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia, Yair published a Facebook status in which he said that Nazism is a problem of the past, and that the real issue is the “Antifa bullies” and “Black Lives Matters.” A few months ago, Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the Foreign Ministry to refrain from criticizing the Hungarian government for its anti-Semitic campaign against George Soros.
5 sept 2017
Sara Netanyahu is expected to be indicted, pending a hearing, on charges of fraudulently receiving items worth 400,000 shekels ($111,851), Haaretz has learned.
According to Haaretz, Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit is expected to inform Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of the charges against her in a few weeks.
Sara Netanyahu is suspected of ordering chef’s meals at the prime minister’s official residence, which is against regulations, and concealing the fact that she did so. She and her husband have accused the former chief caretaker of the official residence, Meni Naftali, who is currently leading protests against the prime minister, of inflating the residence’s expenses.
At a rally last week, Netanyahu also accused Naftali of stealing food from the residence. But a senior police official, commenting recently on the high expenses run up at the official residence, said recently that “this phenomenon began before Naftali came to work at the residence and continued after he was fired.”
The decision to indict Sara Netanyahu in the residence affair is the first in a series of moves to be made in the coming months in cases in which the prime minister and members of his inner circle are suspects. A senior law enforcement official said the likelihood was that police would submit their recommendations in around December in Case 1000, in which the prime minister is suspected of illicitly receiving gifts from wealthy patrons, and Case 2000, in which the suspicion is that Netanyahu tried to concoct a deal with Arnon Mozes, publisher of the mass-circulation daily Yedioth Ahronoth, to receive favorable coverage in the newspaper in exchange for cutting back on commercial activity of the competing free daily, Israel Hayom.
According to Haaretz, Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit is expected to inform Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of the charges against her in a few weeks.
Sara Netanyahu is suspected of ordering chef’s meals at the prime minister’s official residence, which is against regulations, and concealing the fact that she did so. She and her husband have accused the former chief caretaker of the official residence, Meni Naftali, who is currently leading protests against the prime minister, of inflating the residence’s expenses.
At a rally last week, Netanyahu also accused Naftali of stealing food from the residence. But a senior police official, commenting recently on the high expenses run up at the official residence, said recently that “this phenomenon began before Naftali came to work at the residence and continued after he was fired.”
The decision to indict Sara Netanyahu in the residence affair is the first in a series of moves to be made in the coming months in cases in which the prime minister and members of his inner circle are suspects. A senior law enforcement official said the likelihood was that police would submit their recommendations in around December in Case 1000, in which the prime minister is suspected of illicitly receiving gifts from wealthy patrons, and Case 2000, in which the suspicion is that Netanyahu tried to concoct a deal with Arnon Mozes, publisher of the mass-circulation daily Yedioth Ahronoth, to receive favorable coverage in the newspaper in exchange for cutting back on commercial activity of the competing free daily, Israel Hayom.
3 sept 2017
Israeli Police detained six people for questioning on Sunday morning, including a number of former senior public officials, suspected of corruption in the fraudulent purchase of naval vessels from Germany, known as “Case 3000.”
The suspects were brought in as part of an ongoing investigation into the so-called “Case 3000,” or the “submarine affair,” in which the ill-famed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s personal lawyer David Shimron is suspected of attempting to sway multi-billion-shekel deals in favor of the German shipbuilder ThyssenKryupp, which he represented in Israel.
The six were questioned over suspicions of fraud, bribery, tax evasion and money laundering, the Israel Police and the Tax Authority said in a joint statement.
A source close to the investigation who asked not to be named told The Times of Israel that some of the suspects were personal associates of the prime minister. Hebrew media speculated that Shimron was among those being questioned.
One of the detainees was named later as Avriel Bar-Yosef, a former deputy head of the National Security Council. Netanyahu sought to appoint Bar-Yosef to lead the NSC in 2016, but his candidacy was withdrawn when it emerged that he was suspected of accepting bribes in exchange for promoting the interests of German businessmen involved in the development of Israel’s offshore gas fields
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit ordered the Israel Police to formally look into the submarine affair in November 2016, after accusations surfaced that Netanyahu swayed to purchase vessels by business ties Shimron had with ThyssenKrupp. The deals for patrol boats and submarines came under intense scrutiny late last year after it was revealed by Channel 10 news that Shimron also served in an advisory capacity for ThyssenKrupp, which was awarded the contracts for building Israel’s submarines and naval attack boats.
At the same time, hundreds of Israelis continue to protest against government corruption.
On Saturday evening, hundreds of Israelis rallied in the central Israeli city Petah Tikva, near the home of Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit to demand him to indict Netanyahu on corruption charges.
The weekly vigils have become the vanguard of a grassroots protest movement against Netanyahu's financial misdeeds.
PM's former chief of staff identified as suspect in submarine scandal
The suspects were brought in as part of an ongoing investigation into the so-called “Case 3000,” or the “submarine affair,” in which the ill-famed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s personal lawyer David Shimron is suspected of attempting to sway multi-billion-shekel deals in favor of the German shipbuilder ThyssenKryupp, which he represented in Israel.
The six were questioned over suspicions of fraud, bribery, tax evasion and money laundering, the Israel Police and the Tax Authority said in a joint statement.
A source close to the investigation who asked not to be named told The Times of Israel that some of the suspects were personal associates of the prime minister. Hebrew media speculated that Shimron was among those being questioned.
One of the detainees was named later as Avriel Bar-Yosef, a former deputy head of the National Security Council. Netanyahu sought to appoint Bar-Yosef to lead the NSC in 2016, but his candidacy was withdrawn when it emerged that he was suspected of accepting bribes in exchange for promoting the interests of German businessmen involved in the development of Israel’s offshore gas fields
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit ordered the Israel Police to formally look into the submarine affair in November 2016, after accusations surfaced that Netanyahu swayed to purchase vessels by business ties Shimron had with ThyssenKrupp. The deals for patrol boats and submarines came under intense scrutiny late last year after it was revealed by Channel 10 news that Shimron also served in an advisory capacity for ThyssenKrupp, which was awarded the contracts for building Israel’s submarines and naval attack boats.
At the same time, hundreds of Israelis continue to protest against government corruption.
On Saturday evening, hundreds of Israelis rallied in the central Israeli city Petah Tikva, near the home of Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit to demand him to indict Netanyahu on corruption charges.
The weekly vigils have become the vanguard of a grassroots protest movement against Netanyahu's financial misdeeds.
PM's former chief of staff identified as suspect in submarine scandal
David Sharan
Former top official in Netanyahu's bureau suspected of involvement in submarine probe named as David Sharan, who police are seeking to turn into a state witness against his former boss; 'He could be Ari Harow 2,' say investigators; other suspects detained include IDF officials, such as fmr. navy commander Eliezer Marom, while their homes and offices were raided for possible evidence.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's former chief of staff David Sharan was identified Sunday evening as one of the suspects police are seeking to flip into a state witness in the submarine affair, also referred to as Case 3000.
Sharan was one of the six people who were detained Sunday morning for questioning over suspicions of bribery in the affair, as part of the ongoing investigation into the purchase of submarines from Germany for the Israeli Navy.
The Rishon LeZion Magistrates’ Court extended his arrest Sunday evening by five days after investigators marked him as one of the suspects who possessed critical information on the affair.
Former top official in Netanyahu's bureau suspected of involvement in submarine probe named as David Sharan, who police are seeking to turn into a state witness against his former boss; 'He could be Ari Harow 2,' say investigators; other suspects detained include IDF officials, such as fmr. navy commander Eliezer Marom, while their homes and offices were raided for possible evidence.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's former chief of staff David Sharan was identified Sunday evening as one of the suspects police are seeking to flip into a state witness in the submarine affair, also referred to as Case 3000.
Sharan was one of the six people who were detained Sunday morning for questioning over suspicions of bribery in the affair, as part of the ongoing investigation into the purchase of submarines from Germany for the Israeli Navy.
The Rishon LeZion Magistrates’ Court extended his arrest Sunday evening by five days after investigators marked him as one of the suspects who possessed critical information on the affair.
Former navy chief Eliezer Marom was detained for questioning
Also detained for questioning were several former top IDF officers, among them former Navy commander Maj.-Gen. (res.) Eliezer Marom and a former commander in the elite Shayetet 13 naval commando unit, with the latter's remand extended until Wednesday. A gag order was placed in the publication of his name.
A police spokesperson said the persons detained are suspected of financial and ethical offenses.
"The six were detained this morning and their homes and offices were searched in order to apprehend documents relevant to the investigation," a police statement said.
Another one of the suspects arrested was strategic advisor Nati Mor to whom police attribute offenses of bribery and the transfer of money to a public servant. His arrest was also extended.
State witness Miki Ganor provided his investigators with detailed testimony as to the criminal offenses he had committed both in the submarine affair and other deals in which he acted as a go-between for the security establishment, giving rise to the wave of arrests on Sunday.
While the precise contents of his testimony could not originally be fully divulged to the public due to a gag order, a top police official said last month Ganor also provided investigators with tapes and text messages. "He's giving us excellent materials," the police admitted.
By Sunday afternoon, Ynet had obtained information on evidence provided by Ganor, which pointed to the fact that the mechanisms of bribery were well greased and intended to be hidden and implicated the arrested suspects.
Ganor allegedly said that in a bid to win the submarine tender, he signed fictitious agreements with strategic advisors worth hundreds of thousands of shekels which eventually flowed, as bribes, into the pockets of a former senior official in Netanyahu’s bureau, which turned out to be Sharan.
Ganor’s testimony has raised suspicion in the police that he sought to ensure his appointment using the connection he made with that former PMO official.
The police believe Sharan was a key player in the affair and possesses crucial and substantial pieces of evidence.
Meanwhile, it was reported Sunday evening that police were considering offering state witness status in return for his cooperation to a former official in Netanyahu’s bureau who was one of the six who were arrested.
“He knows a lot about what took place during the period in which he worked,” police officials said.
Police also intend to request extending the Sharan's arrest due to Ganor’s testimony and, placing such value on the information he possesses, have said “he could be an Ari Harow 2."
Ganor—who served as representative for the German ThyssenKrupp company that builds submarines for the Israeli Navy—said in his testimony adv. David Shimron, the prime minister's personal attorney, was set to receive commission estimated to total $10 million (NIS 35 million) in order to push through the decision to purchase the submarines.
"The claims made here are so far removed from reality that it's inconceivable the state witness made them to the police," said attorneys Jacob Weinroth and Amit Hadad on behalf of Shimron. "In any event, in the entire period Shimron represented Ganor he acted as an attorney and all of his actions were aboveboard."
Also detained for questioning were several former top IDF officers, among them former Navy commander Maj.-Gen. (res.) Eliezer Marom and a former commander in the elite Shayetet 13 naval commando unit, with the latter's remand extended until Wednesday. A gag order was placed in the publication of his name.
A police spokesperson said the persons detained are suspected of financial and ethical offenses.
"The six were detained this morning and their homes and offices were searched in order to apprehend documents relevant to the investigation," a police statement said.
Another one of the suspects arrested was strategic advisor Nati Mor to whom police attribute offenses of bribery and the transfer of money to a public servant. His arrest was also extended.
State witness Miki Ganor provided his investigators with detailed testimony as to the criminal offenses he had committed both in the submarine affair and other deals in which he acted as a go-between for the security establishment, giving rise to the wave of arrests on Sunday.
While the precise contents of his testimony could not originally be fully divulged to the public due to a gag order, a top police official said last month Ganor also provided investigators with tapes and text messages. "He's giving us excellent materials," the police admitted.
By Sunday afternoon, Ynet had obtained information on evidence provided by Ganor, which pointed to the fact that the mechanisms of bribery were well greased and intended to be hidden and implicated the arrested suspects.
Ganor allegedly said that in a bid to win the submarine tender, he signed fictitious agreements with strategic advisors worth hundreds of thousands of shekels which eventually flowed, as bribes, into the pockets of a former senior official in Netanyahu’s bureau, which turned out to be Sharan.
Ganor’s testimony has raised suspicion in the police that he sought to ensure his appointment using the connection he made with that former PMO official.
The police believe Sharan was a key player in the affair and possesses crucial and substantial pieces of evidence.
Meanwhile, it was reported Sunday evening that police were considering offering state witness status in return for his cooperation to a former official in Netanyahu’s bureau who was one of the six who were arrested.
“He knows a lot about what took place during the period in which he worked,” police officials said.
Police also intend to request extending the Sharan's arrest due to Ganor’s testimony and, placing such value on the information he possesses, have said “he could be an Ari Harow 2."
Ganor—who served as representative for the German ThyssenKrupp company that builds submarines for the Israeli Navy—said in his testimony adv. David Shimron, the prime minister's personal attorney, was set to receive commission estimated to total $10 million (NIS 35 million) in order to push through the decision to purchase the submarines.
"The claims made here are so far removed from reality that it's inconceivable the state witness made them to the police," said attorneys Jacob Weinroth and Amit Hadad on behalf of Shimron. "In any event, in the entire period Shimron represented Ganor he acted as an attorney and all of his actions were aboveboard."
29 aug 2017
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The Israeli Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid charged Israeli Prime Minister with incitement against left-wing parties and the media.
At the Israel Bar Association Conference held in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, Lapid said that Israel is changing into a corrupt state. He added that all of the prime minister’s close allies, including multiple former chiefs of staff, are under investigation. Lapid also said that “Any individual convicted of a crime with moral turpitude, which most financial crimes have, should no longer be a minister”, referring to Interior Minister Aryeh Deri. |
“Deri has served more than two years in prison for a bribery conviction, but was reappointed a minister in the current government and remains in place despite the fact that he is once again under investigation”, Lapid highlighted.
27 aug 2017
Around a 1,500 people protested against government corruption on Saturday night in the central Israeli city Petah Tikva, near the home of Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit.
According to Israeli news sources, hundreds of Israeli protesters gathered in front of Israel's attorney general's home on Saturday to demand him to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on corruption charges.
The weekly vigils have become the vanguard of a grassroots protest movement against Netanyahu's financial misdeeds and illicit ties to executives in the media, international business, and Hollywood.
The main demonstration at Goren Square was restricted to 500 people by a High Court of Justice ruling on Thursday. Police barred additional protesters from entering the square. Hundreds who remained outside the demonstration site gathered in nearby squares.
Similar events were simultaneously held in 17 other cities across the country.
Rallies protesting the attorney general's handling of the investigations into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption charges have been held in Petah Tikva for some 40 consecutive weeks.
Saturday night's demonstration comes a week after a pair of high-profile organizers were arrested and after Israel's Supreme Court ruled the protests could continue as long as they didn't exceed 500 people or include the use of loudspeakers in the residential area.
Israeli police said far more than that arrived Saturday, with some 2,000 attending. They also said protesters violated the other conditions set by the court, using loud speakers and spreading out to adjacent streets.
What began as a gathering of a handful of good governance activists outside the home has now, in its 40th week, swelled into a powerful display of flag-waving Israelis each Saturday night that has drawn heavy media coverage, sparked counter pro-Netanyahu protests and unnerved police.
Israel law says the prime minister can only be removed by parliament, though the Supreme Court has since ruled that government ministers and mayors had to resign if indicted.
Israel's justice minister has said the prime minister is not compelled to do so. But should the attorney general issue an indictment, there will be a legal challenge and public pressure for him to step aside. The weekly protests are ostensibly aimed at encouraging an indictment.
According to Israeli news sources, hundreds of Israeli protesters gathered in front of Israel's attorney general's home on Saturday to demand him to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on corruption charges.
The weekly vigils have become the vanguard of a grassroots protest movement against Netanyahu's financial misdeeds and illicit ties to executives in the media, international business, and Hollywood.
The main demonstration at Goren Square was restricted to 500 people by a High Court of Justice ruling on Thursday. Police barred additional protesters from entering the square. Hundreds who remained outside the demonstration site gathered in nearby squares.
Similar events were simultaneously held in 17 other cities across the country.
Rallies protesting the attorney general's handling of the investigations into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption charges have been held in Petah Tikva for some 40 consecutive weeks.
Saturday night's demonstration comes a week after a pair of high-profile organizers were arrested and after Israel's Supreme Court ruled the protests could continue as long as they didn't exceed 500 people or include the use of loudspeakers in the residential area.
Israeli police said far more than that arrived Saturday, with some 2,000 attending. They also said protesters violated the other conditions set by the court, using loud speakers and spreading out to adjacent streets.
What began as a gathering of a handful of good governance activists outside the home has now, in its 40th week, swelled into a powerful display of flag-waving Israelis each Saturday night that has drawn heavy media coverage, sparked counter pro-Netanyahu protests and unnerved police.
Israel law says the prime minister can only be removed by parliament, though the Supreme Court has since ruled that government ministers and mayors had to resign if indicted.
Israel's justice minister has said the prime minister is not compelled to do so. But should the attorney general issue an indictment, there will be a legal challenge and public pressure for him to step aside. The weekly protests are ostensibly aimed at encouraging an indictment.
20 aug 2017
Petition partially accepted despite objections from Sara Netanyahu, who claims to be victim of persecution; judge stresses she has already made details of her employment public in interviews, thereby justifying divulsion; sources close to PM hail court’s ending of ‘witch hunt.'
The Jerusalem District Court partially accepted Sunday afternoon the petition put forward by journalist Ben Caspit and ordered the Jerusalem municipality to divulge the scope of Sara Netanyahu's employment as a psychologist in several of the city's education institutions.
The court also instructed the municipality to detail the number of hours Mrs. Netanyahu was employed and the time that elapsed between periods she was employed there.
The petition demanded that the municipality reveal details such as the date on which Mrs. Netanyahu's employment commenced there, areas under her responsibility, the identity of her superiors, breaks between employment periods, the precise number of hours she worked and further details pertaining to matters under her responsibility—apart from providing psychology services to educational institutions. Caspit also demanded the detailing of her precise work hours in the two years prior to the request's submission.
The municipality stuck to the position which stated that providing any such information would harm Mrs. Netanyahu's privacy, and has therefore refused to provide it. According to the municipality, divulging some of the requested information may also harm the wellbeing and security of Mrs. Netanyahu and those around her while she carries out her professional duties.
Netanyahu herself has claimed the request should be denied due to the personal rivalry between herself and Caspit, which amounts to "persecution" according to her. The petition's sole goal, she said, was to harm her and her husband, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Judge Arnon Darel, however, rejected the claim of any ulterior motives behind the request.
Judge Darel further ruled the municipality must disclose the details he has approved within 30 days. In addition, Darel decreed the municipality will pay the petitioner's NIS 7,500 legal fees as well as the administrative costs he paid to make the petition.
"The fact the subject of this petition isn't any 'regular' employee like the thousands of the municipality's other employees mustn't be ignored," the judge wrote. "Apart from her job, she's also a well-known public figure.
"While that a person being the spouse of someone in a high-ranking public position, such as prime minister of minister, isn't enough to justify a breach of their right to privacy, in the matter of Mrs. Netanyahu circumstances are different and striking a balance would be partially disclosing information relating to her," the judge said.
"The facts of the case reveal the respondent (Netanyahu) makes her employment as educational psychologist well known in interviews she gives as well as in different publications initiated by either her or the prime minister," Darel explained. "Under these circumstances, where she and the prime minister make public use of her professional employment, there is justification to disclose information pertaining to her employment."
Sources close to the PM: court has put a stop to witch hunt
Sources close to the prime minister and his wife commented on the ruling, saying "We're pleased the court has put an end to the witch hunt and persecution campaign Ben Caspit has been waging against Mrs. Netanyahu for more than 20 years now. In today's verdict the court has rejected most of Caspit's inflammatory and bothersome requests. It would appear even the prime minister's wife has a right to privacy in her professional capacity as children's psychologist."
The source went on to say: "Caspit also 'forgot' to mention Mrs. Netanyahu is suing him for libel after publishing false claims about her dismissal of an elderly gardener at the prime minister's residence. Before his passing, the gardener Menashe Kozokin testified to the fact nothing of the sort ever happened and Mrs. Netanyahu never fired him."
The Jerusalem District Court partially accepted Sunday afternoon the petition put forward by journalist Ben Caspit and ordered the Jerusalem municipality to divulge the scope of Sara Netanyahu's employment as a psychologist in several of the city's education institutions.
The court also instructed the municipality to detail the number of hours Mrs. Netanyahu was employed and the time that elapsed between periods she was employed there.
The petition demanded that the municipality reveal details such as the date on which Mrs. Netanyahu's employment commenced there, areas under her responsibility, the identity of her superiors, breaks between employment periods, the precise number of hours she worked and further details pertaining to matters under her responsibility—apart from providing psychology services to educational institutions. Caspit also demanded the detailing of her precise work hours in the two years prior to the request's submission.
The municipality stuck to the position which stated that providing any such information would harm Mrs. Netanyahu's privacy, and has therefore refused to provide it. According to the municipality, divulging some of the requested information may also harm the wellbeing and security of Mrs. Netanyahu and those around her while she carries out her professional duties.
Netanyahu herself has claimed the request should be denied due to the personal rivalry between herself and Caspit, which amounts to "persecution" according to her. The petition's sole goal, she said, was to harm her and her husband, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Judge Arnon Darel, however, rejected the claim of any ulterior motives behind the request.
Judge Darel further ruled the municipality must disclose the details he has approved within 30 days. In addition, Darel decreed the municipality will pay the petitioner's NIS 7,500 legal fees as well as the administrative costs he paid to make the petition.
"The fact the subject of this petition isn't any 'regular' employee like the thousands of the municipality's other employees mustn't be ignored," the judge wrote. "Apart from her job, she's also a well-known public figure.
"While that a person being the spouse of someone in a high-ranking public position, such as prime minister of minister, isn't enough to justify a breach of their right to privacy, in the matter of Mrs. Netanyahu circumstances are different and striking a balance would be partially disclosing information relating to her," the judge said.
"The facts of the case reveal the respondent (Netanyahu) makes her employment as educational psychologist well known in interviews she gives as well as in different publications initiated by either her or the prime minister," Darel explained. "Under these circumstances, where she and the prime minister make public use of her professional employment, there is justification to disclose information pertaining to her employment."
Sources close to the PM: court has put a stop to witch hunt
Sources close to the prime minister and his wife commented on the ruling, saying "We're pleased the court has put an end to the witch hunt and persecution campaign Ben Caspit has been waging against Mrs. Netanyahu for more than 20 years now. In today's verdict the court has rejected most of Caspit's inflammatory and bothersome requests. It would appear even the prime minister's wife has a right to privacy in her professional capacity as children's psychologist."
The source went on to say: "Caspit also 'forgot' to mention Mrs. Netanyahu is suing him for libel after publishing false claims about her dismissal of an elderly gardener at the prime minister's residence. Before his passing, the gardener Menashe Kozokin testified to the fact nothing of the sort ever happened and Mrs. Netanyahu never fired him."
