By Agencies.
Isreali police are urging the attorney general to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in two corruption cases involving bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
The recommendation is the result of more than a year of investigations into allegations that Netanyahu improperly accepted expensive gifts including pink champagne and cigars from Israeli Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer in exchange for favors.
In a statement issued Tuesday, police officials said there is sufficient evidence against the prime minister “on suspicions for the offense of fraud and breach of trust regarding his connection” to both wealthy businessmen. However, in the case of Milchan, they’ve also added bribery.
Officials also said they have gathered enough evidence to conclude Netanyahu tried to help an Israeli newspaper publisher with his business in exchange for positive press coverage. And, as NPR’s Daniel Estrin reported in August, authorities made a pact with Netanyahu’s former chief of staff, who has agreed to become a witness for the state.
The announcement by police does not mean Netanyahu will be charged. Ultimately the attorney general decides whether an indictment will be filed, and that could take months.
Netanyahu — the longest-serving prime minister since Israel’s founding father David Ben-Gurion — denies wrongdoing.
Addressing citizens in a televised speech Tuesday, Netanyahu denied claims of corruption, saying they are “unfounded” and “outrageous.”
“The only thing that motivates me is the interest of the state,” he said, while pointing out that he has long been a victim of slander.
According to the Jerusalem Post, evidence collected by police will be reviewed by the prosecution and Aluf Avichai Mandelblit, attorney general of Israel.
