Israeli police have recommended that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be indicted on charges of bribery and breach of trust, following a 14-month investigation into two cases of alleged corruption.
In a statement, police said that enough evidence had been gathered against Netanyahu for committing “bribery, fraud, and breach of trust”, throwing his political future in doubt.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“All these attempts end up with nothing because I know the truth. I tell you, also this time, things will end up with nothing,” he said.
The BBC reports that the first case, dubbed “case 2000” centres on allegations that Netanyahu approached newspaper publisher Yediot Aharonot asking for “positive media coverage in exchange for help in reining in a rival publication.”
The second case, dubbed “case 1000”, revolves around claims that Netanyahu has accepted illicit gifts valued at around one million shekels (£204,000).
The majority of the gifts, valued at 750,000 shekels, allegedly came from Hollywood producer and media magnate Arnon Milchan, while the remainder were provided by Australian billionaire businessman James Packer.
The Guardian says in return for the gifts, Netanyahu provided Milchan with help on “US visa matters and Israeli tax breaks.”
Netanyahu has vowed to stay on as Prime Minister, and indicated that he intends to run in elections that must be held before the end of 2019.
-
Panspermia: the theory that life was sent to Earth by aliensUnder The Radar New findings have resurfaced an old, controversial idea
-
What's a bridge loan and how could it make buying your next home possible?The Explainer This type of loan has both pros and cons
-
The Week contest: Phone riskPuzzles and Quizzes
-
Gaza genocide: will UN ruling change anything?Today's Big Question Commission of inquiry’s findings ‘give unprecedented weight’ to genocide claims
-
Why ‘anti-Islam’ bikers are guarding Gaza aid sitesIn The Spotlight Members of Infidels MC, who regard themselves as modern Crusaders, among private security guards at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites
-
Has Israel’s Qatar strike scuppered a ceasefire?Today’s Big Question Netanyahu ‘gambles’ on ‘overwhelming strength’ rather than diplomacy in attack on Hamas negotiation team in Doha
-
Israel targets Hamas leaders in Qatar airstrikeSpeed Read Hamas said five low-level leaders were killed in the attack
-
What are the Abraham Accords and why are they under threat?The Explainer The 2020 agreements would be 'undermined' if Israel annexes West Bank, UAE warns
-
What is Tony Blair's plan for Gaza?Today's Big Question Former PM has reportedly been putting together a post-war strategy 'for the past several months'
-
UN votes to end Lebanon peacekeeping missionSpeed Read The Trump administration considers the UN's Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to be a 'waste of money'
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
