Israeli Media Reports One Case Against Netanyahu Nearing Indictment

One of the cases against Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is nearly certain to result in a felony indictment against the PM after the state’s case was cemented by testimony from his former chief of staff according to local media. One of two significant investigations against Netanyahu charges that for years he accepted hundreds of thousands of shekels [Israeli currency] from Israeli Hollywood movie mogul Arnon Milchan [producer of films including Pretty Woman and LA Confidential] and South African industrialist James Packer – most notably including Cuban cigars, expensive champagne, and jewelry. Prosecutors have been trying to prove that the gifts came with an expectation of a quid quo pro in the form of reciprocal favors made feasible by Netanyahu’s position of power – a felony if true. Prosecutors believe the case is now solid after a former chief of staff to the prime minister confirmed the alleged reciprocity as an eye witness – and speaking as part of a plea bargain that would keep himself out of jail. In a second case, prosecutors have also secured the testimony of former chief of staff Ari Harrow and tapes Harrow made of Netanyahu proffering a deal that would give him positive coverage from a newspaper owned by a political foe in return for which Netanyahu would use his position to further legislation that would benefit the foe’s newspaper. As his defense, Netanyahu is claiming there was no benefit provided to those who showered him with gifts, but in the case of Milchan, the producer reportedly asked the prime minister to use his clout to get the Americans to issue an extended work visa after his permit had been cancelled.