Benjamin Netanyahuthe Prime Minister of Israel, is suspected of receiving gifts worth nearly $200,000 from wealthy personalities. The politician is said to have received the gifts, in the form of cigars, bottles of champagne and jewelry, between 2007 and 2016.

For this reason, he is accused of corruption, fraud and breach of trust, for which he is taking legal action.

His trial began in 2020 and is unprecedented in Israel for a sitting prime minister. However, the hearings were suspended in October after Israel declared war on Hamas.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses participants at the meeting of his Likud party faction in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem. EFE/EPA/ABIR SULTAN
Photo: ABIR SULTAN

The corruption trial against the official will resume this Monday.

One of the strongest pieces of evidence against him is the case of Israeli film producer Arnon Milchan (“JFK,” “Pretty Woman”). He is said to have given him several gifts, and in return Netanyahu is said to have promoted a tax provision that would have saved Milchan millions of dollars. The Israeli Ministry of Finance vetoed this tax figure.

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Netanyahu claims he has rarely accepted gifts from friends without asking, saying he is the victim of a “witch hunt.”

According to the Israeli press, the official does not have to go to court to testify for the time being, but he may have to do so in a few months. (JO)