After more than a year of investigations, Israeli police alleged they found evidence that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took bribes, in an announcement that could send shock waves through the country’s political system.
Netanyahu along with his wife, Sara, and son, Yair allegedly accepted 1 million shekels’ (about 212,700 dollars) worth of cigars and jewelry within 2007 to 2016 from Israeli Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer, in a manner that constituted a bribe from Milchan and a breach of trust regarding Packer.
The Police also said ‘’relationship between the prime minister and Mr. Milchan was a system of bribery relations that amounted to a criminal offence and not innocent relations between friends,”
In a separate case, the police allege that Netanyahu accepted a bribe from Noni Mozes, who publishes the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Aharonot, adding that the move, was to weaken competing newspaper, Israel Hayom with legislation and other means for Mozes’ benefit.
A report, however, says investigation into Netanyahu’s relationship with Mozes are based on recordings obtained from the premier’s former chief of staff, Ari Harow, which allegedly show the prime minister and publisher “bartering” as they further their personal interests.
However, some lawmakers in the premier’s conservative Likud party have advice Netanyahu against resigning despite the allegation.
Netanyahu who had previously accused the media of orchestrating a “witch hunt” to overthrow the most conservative governing coalition in Israel’s history denounced the allegation, saying it will “end in nothing” while he continues to lead the country.
Meanwhile, thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets in recent months calling for Netanyahu’s resignation.
It will be recalled that in 2008, then Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert resigned due to corruption allegations.
