New Drama In Netanyahu Corruption Trial As Judges Tell Prosecutors ‘It Will Be Hard To Prove Bribery’

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The judges in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial this week sent an unusual message to the parties, saying that the prosecution would have difficulty in establishing the facts of corruption in Case 4000, pointing to the “complexity” of such an approach.

According to these remarks made during a closed meeting and reported by the media, the judges urged the lawyers to reach a plea agreement on the grounds that “it was in the best interest of the State.”

Netanyahu has been charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three corruption cases. One of them, popularly known as Case 4000, alleges that Netanyahu promoted regulations worth hundreds of millions of dollars for the owner of the Bezeq telecom company, Shaul Elovitch, in exchange for positive coverage on its popular Walla news site.

While the charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in Case 4000 are the most serious that Netanyahu faces, this statement by the panel of judges could alter the balance of power between the parties and impact a future settlement, whatever it is, while the trial, which began three years ago, drags on.

Despite the judges’ advice, state prosecutors indicated Friday they will push ahead with attempting to convict the premier on a bribery charge.

Netanyahu’s representation – attorneys Boaz Ben Zur and Jack Chen – issued a statement Saturday assailing prosecutors for the position they deemed “hasty and outlandish” and urging them to consider the judges’ position.

According to a Channel 12 report Saturday night, The judges are also pressuring the prosecution and the premier’s representatives to begin mediation on Case 1000, which involves allegations that Netanyahu unlawfully received gifts such as cigars and champagne from two billionaires — Arnon Milchan, an Israeli Hollywood film producer, and James Packer, an Australian business magnate.

The prosecution claims that between 2011 and 2016, Milchan gave Netanyahu luxury goods — including an estimated NIS 700,000 ($193,000) worth of cigars, champagne, and jewelry — in exchange for alleged services.

It is also alleged that Netanyahu received from Milchan and Packer three bracelets for his wife Sara at her request, one of them worth $45,000, as well as luxury bags and clothing items for her. The Prime Minister’s defense has said that he was unaware his wife was receiving gifts from Milchan or Packer.

Netanyahu’s defense team is expected to focus on demonstrating the Netanyahu couple’s friendship with Milchan and make a case that the Hollywood mogul frequently lavished generous gifts on all his friends.