Israeli Police Question Sara Netanyahu On Corruption Charges

Israeli police questioned Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s wife for two hours on suspicion she diverted public money for her private housekeeping expenses. It is only one of several corruption investigations that police have been following for months, with the Israeli press saying that they are close to recommending an indictment. Israeli press said that Netanyahu’s former chief of staff, Ari Harow, is close to turning state’s witness and would give evidence against the Prime Minister in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Harow has been under investigation for more than two years on suspicion of bribery, breach of trust, conflict of interest and fraud and has reportedly been giving investigators information on two of the ongoing investigations into Netanyahu’s actions. One of the cases is based on suspicions that the premier unlawfully received gifts from wealthy supporters, including Australian billionaire James Packer and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan. Another investigation surrounds allegations that Netanyahu sought a secret deal with the publisher of daily newspaper Yedioth Aharonoth, Israel’s largest circulation daily. The proposed deal, which is not believed to have been finalized, would have seen Netanyahu receive positive coverage in return for him helping scale down the operations and influence of the free daily Israel Hayom, Yedioth’s main competitor, which is owned by casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, a long-time Netanyahu backer. Adelson has recently turned against Netanyahu and his paper has been increasingly critical of the Prime Minister. Netanyahu has insisted that both he and his wife Sara are innocent of all charges.