In his testimony in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial on Sunday, an Israeli producer of Hollywood blockbusters detailed how he regularly sent the Israeli leader thousands of dollars worth of Champagne, cigars, and other gifts.
In his testimony in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial on Sunday, an Israeli producer of Hollywood blockbusters detailed how he regularly sent the Israeli leader thousands of dollars worth of Champagne, cigars, and other gifts.
Arnon Milchan is a crucial witness whose evidence is crucial for prosecutors who are seeking to show that Netanyahu committed fraud and breach of trust in one of three cases brought against him. Milchan spoke by videoconference from Brighton, a city in Britain close to where he is headquartered.
The prosecution hopes that Milchan's evidence, which began on Sunday and was scheduled to go through this week and next, would shed light on the lavish favors that Netanyahu and his wife allegedly received, which led the Israeli prime minister to allegedly use his influence to further Milchan's agenda. The defense will make the point that Netanyahu wasn't operating in Milchan's best interests and that the gifts were just kind presents.
Milchan is being questioned by prosecutors and defense attorneys in a Brighton hotel conference room. While journalists are not permitted there, Sara Netanyahu, who is visiting Britain on a personal trip, will attend.
In a Jerusalem courtroom, Milchan's evidence is being broadcast for judges, and other attorneys, who may also question him, as well as for media and other participants to see. Milchan's hearing is anticipated to take six hours every day.
Netanyahu entered the courtroom immediately after evidence began, accompanied by his security detail and advisers. Netanyahu has been present for several of the hearings during his trial. Netanyahu's moniker was used by Milchan, who is not accused in the case, to welcome him in Hebrew: "Shalom, Bibi!”
Israeli Channel 13 showed a video of Sara Netanyahu and Milchan, 78, ascending the hotel steps separately. The evidence was shown on a screen in the courtroom in Jerusalem.
Milchan, whose production credits include blockbusters like "Pretty Woman," "12 Years a Slave," and "The Revenant," allegedly delivered Netanyahu and his wife boxes of cigars and crates of Champagne over a period of years, according to the indictment. They totaled over $200,000 in worth, including jewelry, and were part of what the indictment refers to as a "supply line" of extravagant presents.
According to the indictment, Netanyahu used his position of influence to help Milchan obtain a U.S. visa renewal by calling on his network of diplomatic allies, who included former Secretary of State, John Kerry. Additionally, Netanyahu is charged with seeking to advance legislation that would have provided Milchan with millions in tax advantages.
“Considering the many links between the defendant Netanyahu and Milchan, the defendant Netanyahu should have entirely avoided dealing with Milchan’s affairs,” the indictment says, adding that Netanyahu and Milchan, an Israeli citizen, have had ties since 1999.
In one of the three lawsuits launched against Netanyahu, Milchan is giving a statement. The other two accuse Netanyahu of swapping regulatory favors with prominent media moguls in exchange for more favorable coverage. He is charged with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust for these two offenses.
Netanyahu claims he is the victim of a liberal media-led witch hunt and a prejudiced legal system while denying any wrongdoing.
A political crisis that has forced Israelis to the polls five times in less than four years has been caused by Netanyahu's legal difficulties, which have hounded him politically and centered on his suitability to lead while on trial.
They have also increased claims made by detractors that Netanyahu is promoting a divisive government proposal to reform Israel's court in an effort to get out of the accusations. Netanyahu rejects these charges.
More than 40 prosecution witnesses, including some of Netanyahu's closest former confidants who turned against the premier, have testified throughout the trial, which started in 2020 and have not yet heard from the prime minister himself.
Witness reports have given insight into the three incidents as well as shocking information about Netanyahu's personality and his family's history of surviving off the generosity of taxpayers and rich supporters. Hadas Klein, Milchan's assistant, stated in court last year that the family "loves gifts."
Even though it was reported last week that the judges had forewarned the prosecutors that it would be difficult to prove the more serious crime of bribery, they still seem intent on seeing the case through to the end.
