7 oct 2019
Netanyahu's pre-trial hearings are set to wrap up with a case which alleges that Israel's leader and Yedioth Ahronoth publisher had a quid pro quo of positive coverage for prime minister and his wife in exchange for weakening of rival newspaper
The fourth and final day of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pre-indictment hearings are set to begin on Monday with the third corruption case involving an alleged quid pro quo media scheme set to take the limelight. Netanyahu's attorneys are expected to arrive to the Justice Ministry in Jerusalem to fend off the allegations.
Netanyahu faces possible indictment in three criminal corruption investigations known as Cases 4000, 1000 and 2000. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit already has recommended that Netanyahu be indicted on fraud, breach of trust and bribery charges.
Case 2000 concerns alleged discussions Netanyahu and Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes had over a quid pro quo of positive media for the prime minister in return for Netanyahu weakening Yedioth's main rival newspaper Israel Hayom.
The hearing on Sunday focused on Case 1000 which alleges Netanyahu has received expensive gifts worth up to one million shekels from billionaire Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer.
The defense lawyers in Case 1000, Amit Hadad and Yossi Askenazi said shortly before the hearing was due to begin that once the attorney general hears their arguments “there will be no choice but to close the cases.”
The first two hearings focused solely on Case 4000, which involves an alleged plan to ease regulations for telecommunications mogul and Bezeq chief Shaul Elovitch in return for positive coverage on his Walla! news website.
Netanyahu has called the allegations part of a witch hunt, lashing out against the media, police, prosecutors and the justice system.
The fourth and final day of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pre-indictment hearings are set to begin on Monday with the third corruption case involving an alleged quid pro quo media scheme set to take the limelight. Netanyahu's attorneys are expected to arrive to the Justice Ministry in Jerusalem to fend off the allegations.
Netanyahu faces possible indictment in three criminal corruption investigations known as Cases 4000, 1000 and 2000. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit already has recommended that Netanyahu be indicted on fraud, breach of trust and bribery charges.
Case 2000 concerns alleged discussions Netanyahu and Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes had over a quid pro quo of positive media for the prime minister in return for Netanyahu weakening Yedioth's main rival newspaper Israel Hayom.
The hearing on Sunday focused on Case 1000 which alleges Netanyahu has received expensive gifts worth up to one million shekels from billionaire Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer.
The defense lawyers in Case 1000, Amit Hadad and Yossi Askenazi said shortly before the hearing was due to begin that once the attorney general hears their arguments “there will be no choice but to close the cases.”
The first two hearings focused solely on Case 4000, which involves an alleged plan to ease regulations for telecommunications mogul and Bezeq chief Shaul Elovitch in return for positive coverage on his Walla! news website.
Netanyahu has called the allegations part of a witch hunt, lashing out against the media, police, prosecutors and the justice system.
6 oct 2019
Netanyahu's lawyers arrive at the Justice Ministry to fend off allegations that Israel's leader received illicit gift from billionaires Arnon Milchan and James Packer worth a staggering NIS 1 million; 'There will be no choice but to close the cases,' say defense attorneys
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's defense lawyers arrived on Sunday morning at the Justice Ministry in Jerusalem for a third pre-indictment hearing, where they will try to convince the attorney general that Israel's leader did not receive illicit gifts from two business moguls.
Netanyahu faces possible indictment in three criminal corruption investigations known as Cases 4000, 1000 and 2000. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit already has recommended that Netanyahu be indicted on fraud, breach of trust and bribery charges.
Sunday's hearing will focus on Case 1000 which alleges Netanyahu has received expensive gifts worth up to one million shekels from billionaire Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer.
The defense lawyers in Case 1000, Amit Hadad and Yossi Askenazi said shortly before the hearing was due to begin that once the attorney general hears their arguments “there will be no choice but to close the cases.”
The first two hearings focused solely on Case 4000, which involves an alleged plan to ease regulations for telecommunications mogul and Bezeq chief Shaul Elovitch in return for positive coverage on his Walla! news website.
The hearing is expected to last at least four days, and it could take weeks for the attorney general to render his final decision.
However, legal experts say the likelihood of an indictment is high, given the mountains of evidence collected by police over years of investigations and the prosecution’s seeming consensus of pursuing a trial.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's defense lawyers arrived on Sunday morning at the Justice Ministry in Jerusalem for a third pre-indictment hearing, where they will try to convince the attorney general that Israel's leader did not receive illicit gifts from two business moguls.
Netanyahu faces possible indictment in three criminal corruption investigations known as Cases 4000, 1000 and 2000. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit already has recommended that Netanyahu be indicted on fraud, breach of trust and bribery charges.
Sunday's hearing will focus on Case 1000 which alleges Netanyahu has received expensive gifts worth up to one million shekels from billionaire Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer.
The defense lawyers in Case 1000, Amit Hadad and Yossi Askenazi said shortly before the hearing was due to begin that once the attorney general hears their arguments “there will be no choice but to close the cases.”
The first two hearings focused solely on Case 4000, which involves an alleged plan to ease regulations for telecommunications mogul and Bezeq chief Shaul Elovitch in return for positive coverage on his Walla! news website.
The hearing is expected to last at least four days, and it could take weeks for the attorney general to render his final decision.
However, legal experts say the likelihood of an indictment is high, given the mountains of evidence collected by police over years of investigations and the prosecution’s seeming consensus of pursuing a trial.
3 oct 2019
Yair Lapid addresses his Blue and White faction in Jerusalem on Thursday
Blue and White No.2 calls on Netanyahu to step down as Likud leader due to his criminal investigations, allow new party head to emerge; Liberman praises Lapid move as 'smart and noble'
Blue and White party No. 2 Yair Lapid said Thursday he is willing to give up his rotation deal with party leader Benny Gantz if it facilitated the formation of a unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud.
"For the sake of a unity government, I'm forgoing the rotation agreement," Lapid announced during a faction meeting in Jerusalem, shortly before the new Knesset was sworn in.
"There won't be a rotation deal with three people," Lapid said. "That's not serious. Running a country is a serious matter... there won't be another election."
Lapid also called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step aside due to his criminal investigations and allow a new leader to emerge for Likud.
Ntenayhau's perceived greatest rival in the party, Gideon Sa'ar, said Thursday that he would be willing to run a party leadership primary.
Lapid called the prime minister the biggest obstacle to forming a unity government between Blue and White and Likud - the two largest parties after the September 17 elections.
Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman, who along with President Reuven Rivlin has been calling for a unity government since the deadlocked elections, called Lapid's decision a "smart and noble" move that was in the best interests of the country.
Lapid and Gantz agreed earlier this year to rotate the premiership if their political alliance succeeded in heading the next government.
According to the deal, the first two years would have gone to Gantz while Lapid was to take over halfway and finish out the mandated four-year term.
Gantz, who took the stage before Lapid at the party faction meeting, told reporters that the country has "been busy for too long with division," and urged an immediate formation of a government under his leadership.
Neither Netanyahu's right-wing bloc nor Gantz's center-left alliance has enough Knesset members to form a majority coalition.
The Likud has repeatedly accused Lapid of trying to scupper its unity government talks with Blue and White, accusing him of allowing his determination to become prime minister drag the country into an unpredecented third round of elections within a 12-month period.
Liberman said Wednesday that if there were no progress on unity talks between Likud and Blue and White before Yom Kippur next week,
his party would present its own proposal.
"Even if new elections are held, the political map will not change significantly, and therefore an informed solution must be reached, leaving all personal and ego considerations aside," he said.
Netanyahu, who was last week given 28 days by Rivlin to form a government, met Thursday morning with Liberman, although Likud said the talks failed to lead to a breakthrough.
Blue and White No.2 calls on Netanyahu to step down as Likud leader due to his criminal investigations, allow new party head to emerge; Liberman praises Lapid move as 'smart and noble'
Blue and White party No. 2 Yair Lapid said Thursday he is willing to give up his rotation deal with party leader Benny Gantz if it facilitated the formation of a unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud.
"For the sake of a unity government, I'm forgoing the rotation agreement," Lapid announced during a faction meeting in Jerusalem, shortly before the new Knesset was sworn in.
"There won't be a rotation deal with three people," Lapid said. "That's not serious. Running a country is a serious matter... there won't be another election."
Lapid also called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step aside due to his criminal investigations and allow a new leader to emerge for Likud.
Ntenayhau's perceived greatest rival in the party, Gideon Sa'ar, said Thursday that he would be willing to run a party leadership primary.
Lapid called the prime minister the biggest obstacle to forming a unity government between Blue and White and Likud - the two largest parties after the September 17 elections.
Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman, who along with President Reuven Rivlin has been calling for a unity government since the deadlocked elections, called Lapid's decision a "smart and noble" move that was in the best interests of the country.
Lapid and Gantz agreed earlier this year to rotate the premiership if their political alliance succeeded in heading the next government.
According to the deal, the first two years would have gone to Gantz while Lapid was to take over halfway and finish out the mandated four-year term.
Gantz, who took the stage before Lapid at the party faction meeting, told reporters that the country has "been busy for too long with division," and urged an immediate formation of a government under his leadership.
Neither Netanyahu's right-wing bloc nor Gantz's center-left alliance has enough Knesset members to form a majority coalition.
The Likud has repeatedly accused Lapid of trying to scupper its unity government talks with Blue and White, accusing him of allowing his determination to become prime minister drag the country into an unpredecented third round of elections within a 12-month period.
Liberman said Wednesday that if there were no progress on unity talks between Likud and Blue and White before Yom Kippur next week,
his party would present its own proposal.
"Even if new elections are held, the political map will not change significantly, and therefore an informed solution must be reached, leaving all personal and ego considerations aside," he said.
Netanyahu, who was last week given 28 days by Rivlin to form a government, met Thursday morning with Liberman, although Likud said the talks failed to lead to a breakthrough.
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein
Edelstein called Netanyahu's willingness to take a leave of absence an act of leadership saying the prime minister is pepared to pay the price in order to form a unity government
Speaker of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) Yuli Edelstein said on Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be ready to "take a leave of absence" if Israel's Attorney General Avichai Mandelblitt ultimately decides to indict him on multiple corruption charges.
״This is not an easy step in leadership,” Edelstein told Israeli broadcaster Kan public radio on Thursday. “The prime minister is prepared to pay this price to establish a government.”
President Reuven Rivlin made a similar suggestion last week when he proposed a plan that would see Netanyahu take an open-ended leave of absence if or when he is indicted.
Netanyahu is currently facing pending charges in three different cases, including corruption, bribery, and breach of trust.
The comments come as the 22nd Knesset (Israeli Parliament) is being sworn in amid a worsening political crisis stemming from the country's general election on Sept. 17.
Israel's two largest parties are deadlocked after neither a "Right-wing" or "Left-wing" bloc emerged to capture enough seats to establish a coalition government.
Edelstein called Netanyahu's willingness to take a leave of absence an act of leadership saying the prime minister is pepared to pay the price in order to form a unity government
Speaker of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) Yuli Edelstein said on Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be ready to "take a leave of absence" if Israel's Attorney General Avichai Mandelblitt ultimately decides to indict him on multiple corruption charges.
״This is not an easy step in leadership,” Edelstein told Israeli broadcaster Kan public radio on Thursday. “The prime minister is prepared to pay this price to establish a government.”
President Reuven Rivlin made a similar suggestion last week when he proposed a plan that would see Netanyahu take an open-ended leave of absence if or when he is indicted.
Netanyahu is currently facing pending charges in three different cases, including corruption, bribery, and breach of trust.
The comments come as the 22nd Knesset (Israeli Parliament) is being sworn in amid a worsening political crisis stemming from the country's general election on Sept. 17.
Israel's two largest parties are deadlocked after neither a "Right-wing" or "Left-wing" bloc emerged to capture enough seats to establish a coalition government.
Netanyahu's lawyers, who spend 11 hours on Wednesday trying to persuade the attorney general not to indict Israel's leader on criminal corruption charges in 3 separate cases, arrived at the Justice Ministry for a second day of pre-trial hearings
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's defense lawyers, who spent 11 hours trying to persuade the attorney general not to press charges against Israel's leader on multiple corruption cases, arrived Thursday to the Justice Ministry for a second day of pre-indictment hearings.
Netanyahu faces possible indictment in three criminal corruption investigations known as Cases 4000, 1000 and 2000. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit already has recommended that Netanyahu be indicted on fraud, breach of trust and bribery charges.
Netanyahu did not appear at Wednesday’s hearing, sending instead a high-powered 10-member legal team. As they entered the Justice Ministry' offices in Jerusalem, his lawyers ruled out a plea bargain and expressed confidence that the charges would be dropped.
Wednesday and Thursday's hearings are set to focus solely on Case 4000, which involves an alleged plan to ease regulations for telecommunications mogul and Bezeq chief Shaul Elovitch in return for positive coverage on his Walla! news website.
The hearing is expected to last at least four days, and it could take weeks for the attorney general to render his final decision. However, legal experts say the likelihood of an indictment is high, given the mountains of evidence collected by police over years of investigations and the prosecution’s seeming consensus of pursuing a trial.
Netanyahu has called the allegations part of a witch hunt, lashing out against the media, police, prosecutors and the justice system.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's defense lawyers, who spent 11 hours trying to persuade the attorney general not to press charges against Israel's leader on multiple corruption cases, arrived Thursday to the Justice Ministry for a second day of pre-indictment hearings.
Netanyahu faces possible indictment in three criminal corruption investigations known as Cases 4000, 1000 and 2000. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit already has recommended that Netanyahu be indicted on fraud, breach of trust and bribery charges.
Netanyahu did not appear at Wednesday’s hearing, sending instead a high-powered 10-member legal team. As they entered the Justice Ministry' offices in Jerusalem, his lawyers ruled out a plea bargain and expressed confidence that the charges would be dropped.
Wednesday and Thursday's hearings are set to focus solely on Case 4000, which involves an alleged plan to ease regulations for telecommunications mogul and Bezeq chief Shaul Elovitch in return for positive coverage on his Walla! news website.
The hearing is expected to last at least four days, and it could take weeks for the attorney general to render his final decision. However, legal experts say the likelihood of an indictment is high, given the mountains of evidence collected by police over years of investigations and the prosecution’s seeming consensus of pursuing a trial.
Netanyahu has called the allegations part of a witch hunt, lashing out against the media, police, prosecutors and the justice system.
In the first day of hearings, prime minister Netanyahu’s defense team presented some new evidence to the prosecution, only to discover that Attorney General Mendelblit and his team were already up-to-date. Meanwhile, the formation of the new Israeli government is facing issues due to Netanyahu’s potential indictment.
The first day of pre-indictment hearings lasted an impressive 11 hours before the Justice Ministry called it a day. At the heart of this extended exposé by the Israeli prime minister’s defense team lies a series of ‘new’ pieces of evidence that were presented to Attorney General Mendelblit and the prosecution. Defense laywer Amit Hadad stated: “We are surprising them with new legal arguments and perspectives on the facts in dispute.”
In a later statement however, that same prosecution appeared not to be surprised at all and, in fact, seemed to be familiar with the provided information and evidence. It is as of yet unclear to what extent this will influence Netanyahu’s position during the hearings. According to defense lawyer Yossi Ashkenazi “Mendelblit listened intently” to the defense’s statement and proceeded to have a pleasant, but thorough back-and-forth during which he gave feedback on the information shared with him.
Harsh language, realistic actions
Both Hadad and Ashkenazi expressed strong conviction about all the charges eventually being dropped completely, but due to the nature and severity of the accusations, this seems improbable. Likely, the defense team’s ultimate goal is to mitigate the charges and not erase them entirely. The possibility of a plea bargain has already been wiped of the table by the defense and both lawyers refused to reply if maybe a reduction of the charges in question was the best option they had.
If Mendelblit would drop case 2000 and reduce case 4000 to a mere ‘breach of trust’ instead of bribery, that would immensely improve Netanyahu’s situation. However, the PM has a bit of a history of publicly attacking some of the Ministry Officials. Defense lawyer Ram Caspi tried to get on the prosecution’s good side by stating: “I have complete faith not only in the legal establishment in Israel, but also in those who stand at its head. I have no doubt that during the hearing, the Attorney General will form his recommendations in a professional and thorough manner while disregarding the background noise, the protests and media pressure. I treat these hearings with the utmost importance.”
Political repercussions
Since Mendelblit’s final decision on Netanyahu’s potential indictment will emerge during the negotiations to form a new Israeli government, it will heavily influence these discussions and also the eventual choice of the new prime minister. Acting speaker of the Knesset, Yuli Edelstein, has already stated that Netanyahu could take an open-ended leave of absence, as such showing that he is “prepared to pay the price to establish a government.”
Israeli president Reuven Rivlin already proposed a unity government in which power would be divided equally among Gantz’s Blue and White Party and Netanyahu’s Likud and in which they would each serve two years as PM. Should Netanyahu be indicted and take a leave of absence, Gantz would automatically inherit all prime ministerial authority as “interim prime minister”. This would resolve Gantz’s refusal to serve in a cabinet with a PM under indictment. However, both parties have failed to reach an agreement on who would be PM first in such an arrangement.
In any case, a third election would be destructive for Netanyahu’s career since there’s a good chance that, under these circumstances, Likud could decide to drop him in order to save face. Until now, Netanyahu has not yet joined his defense team during the pre-indictment hearings and it’s unclear if he will do so in the coming days.
The first day of pre-indictment hearings lasted an impressive 11 hours before the Justice Ministry called it a day. At the heart of this extended exposé by the Israeli prime minister’s defense team lies a series of ‘new’ pieces of evidence that were presented to Attorney General Mendelblit and the prosecution. Defense laywer Amit Hadad stated: “We are surprising them with new legal arguments and perspectives on the facts in dispute.”
In a later statement however, that same prosecution appeared not to be surprised at all and, in fact, seemed to be familiar with the provided information and evidence. It is as of yet unclear to what extent this will influence Netanyahu’s position during the hearings. According to defense lawyer Yossi Ashkenazi “Mendelblit listened intently” to the defense’s statement and proceeded to have a pleasant, but thorough back-and-forth during which he gave feedback on the information shared with him.
Harsh language, realistic actions
Both Hadad and Ashkenazi expressed strong conviction about all the charges eventually being dropped completely, but due to the nature and severity of the accusations, this seems improbable. Likely, the defense team’s ultimate goal is to mitigate the charges and not erase them entirely. The possibility of a plea bargain has already been wiped of the table by the defense and both lawyers refused to reply if maybe a reduction of the charges in question was the best option they had.
If Mendelblit would drop case 2000 and reduce case 4000 to a mere ‘breach of trust’ instead of bribery, that would immensely improve Netanyahu’s situation. However, the PM has a bit of a history of publicly attacking some of the Ministry Officials. Defense lawyer Ram Caspi tried to get on the prosecution’s good side by stating: “I have complete faith not only in the legal establishment in Israel, but also in those who stand at its head. I have no doubt that during the hearing, the Attorney General will form his recommendations in a professional and thorough manner while disregarding the background noise, the protests and media pressure. I treat these hearings with the utmost importance.”
Political repercussions
Since Mendelblit’s final decision on Netanyahu’s potential indictment will emerge during the negotiations to form a new Israeli government, it will heavily influence these discussions and also the eventual choice of the new prime minister. Acting speaker of the Knesset, Yuli Edelstein, has already stated that Netanyahu could take an open-ended leave of absence, as such showing that he is “prepared to pay the price to establish a government.”
Israeli president Reuven Rivlin already proposed a unity government in which power would be divided equally among Gantz’s Blue and White Party and Netanyahu’s Likud and in which they would each serve two years as PM. Should Netanyahu be indicted and take a leave of absence, Gantz would automatically inherit all prime ministerial authority as “interim prime minister”. This would resolve Gantz’s refusal to serve in a cabinet with a PM under indictment. However, both parties have failed to reach an agreement on who would be PM first in such an arrangement.
In any case, a third election would be destructive for Netanyahu’s career since there’s a good chance that, under these circumstances, Likud could decide to drop him in order to save face. Until now, Netanyahu has not yet joined his defense team during the pre-indictment hearings and it’s unclear if he will do so in the coming days.
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