03.02.2025 00:00
The dirty laundry of the Netanyahu family is being revealed one by one in Israel. Most recently, a criminal investigation has been opened regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Sara Netanyahu, on suspicion of pressuring a key witness in her husband's corruption case.
A criminal investigation has been opened against Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on suspicion of pressuring a key witness in her husband's corruption case.
PRESSURED A KEY WITNESS
According to a statement from the Israeli Attorney General's office, the investigation was launched following a request to investigate allegations raised by Israeli MP Naama Lazimi on Channel 12 television. Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara had requested an investigation in December regarding claims that Sara Netanyahu pressured a key witness in her husband's corruption case and obstructed the course of justice.
ORDERED THE INTIMIDATION OF PROSECUTORS
The allegations against Sara Netanyahu came to light through a report by Channel 12 television, based on messages from Netanyahu's former assistant Hanni Bleiweiss. According to the report based on the messages between Sara and Bleiweiss, Sara Netanyahu had instructed the intimidation of the key witness in her husband's corruption case and the prosecutors. It was also mentioned that the key witness was Hadas Klein, the former personal assistant of two billionaires involved in the Prime Minister's corruption case.
NETANYAHU'S CORRUPTION CASES
Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit requested on November 21, 2019, that Netanyahu be charged in three separate corruption cases with "bribery, breach of trust, and abuse of power for personal gain." Netanyahu, who made history as the first sitting Israeli Prime Minister to be tried, had his first hearing on May 24, 2020, at the Jerusalem District Court. He first appeared before a judge at the Tel Aviv District Court on December 10, 2024, to give his testimony.
PROVIDED $276 MILLION IN BENEFITS IN EXCHANGE FOR FAVORABLE NEWS
Within the scope of the corruption investigation, the allegation that the Netanyahu family provided $276 million in financial benefits to the telecommunications company "Bezeq," owned by Shaul Elovitch, in exchange for favorable news coverage on the website "Walla News" has drawn attention. Among the charges against Netanyahu is that he unlawfully advanced government policy in favor of Shaul Elovitch by appointing Shlomo Filber, who also ran election campaigns, instead of Avi Berger, the Director General of the Ministry of Communications.
BRIBERY AND ABUSE OF POWER
In the case concerning bribery and abuse of power, it is alleged that Netanyahu received gifts worth $283,000, including champagne, cigars, jewelry, and plane tickets from Israeli Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer.
The indictment states that there is sufficient evidence that the gifts were given to Netanyahu in exchange for political favors. Additionally, it is alleged that Arnon Mozes, the owner of Yediot Ahronot newspaper, and Netanyahu agreed to pass legal regulations through the government to reduce the competitive power of the rival Israel Hayom newspaper in exchange for favorable publication policies for the Likud leader.
FACING UP TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON
If found guilty at the end of the trial, Netanyahu could face a prison sentence of up to 10 years. He insists on his innocence regarding the charges in the three separate cases against him and does not accept the allegations.