Netanyahu indictment

[Snowboarder_Bo]

VICE is reporting that Israeli police will recommend that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “be indicted on charges including bribery, fraud and breach of trust, for allegedly accepting bribes and gifts from wealthy benefactors.”

BUT:

In a Facebook video Wednesday, the 68-year-old leader shrugged off the reports. He said that while the police would recommend that he be indicted, he predicted that Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit would decline to press charges.

“The State of Israel is a state of law. The law says that the one to determine whether there is evidence against the prime minister is the attorney general and he consults with the state attorney. The state prosecutor recently said in the Knesset that about half of the police’s recommendations end with nothing,” Netanyahu said.

“So don’t worry: There will be recommendations, there will be signs saying, ‘Bibi is guilty until proven innocent,’” he said. “But I am sure that at the end of the day the competent legal bodies will come to the same conclusion, to the simple truth: There is nothing.”

This is the first I’ve heard of this; is it something or nothing?

[Kent_Clark]

There have been stories about an investigation, but the last thing I could find was from Dec. 27.

It may be something, but it doesn’t seem to be something that’s particularly hot.

[carnivorousplant]

Paging Alessan!

[Paul_in_Qatar]

I have been reading Bibi’s comments. “Taking it like a man” does not seem to be an option for him.

[CarnalK]

@Paul_in_Qatar

I have been reading Bibi’s comments. “Taking it like a man” does not seem to be an option for him.

So he’s acting like a woman, in your opinion?

[DSeid]

@CarnalK

So he’s acting like a woman, in your opinion?

The usual implication is a contrast to someone not full grown and mature, a tantruming toddler, or say Bibi the baby.

One suspects you know that already. :rolleyes:

[galen_ubal]

Netanyahu confidant is turning state’s evidence.

Shlomo FilberYonatan Sindel/Flash 90
Shlomo Filber, the Director General of the Communications Ministry and a close associate of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, on Tuesday night signed a deal to turn state’s witness in the so-called “Case 4000”.
In his testimony, Filber is expected to say that Netanyahu instructed him to grant regulatory benefits to the Bezeq communications company. Police suspect that in exchange for these benefits, chief Bezeq shareholder Shaul Elovitch provided sympathetic coverage to the prime minister and his wife on the Walla! news website, which he also owns.
According to the agreement, Filber will incriminate Netanyahu in exchange for a light sentence. Filber himself, who was one of the seven people arrested this week in connection with the case, is suspected of taking bribes, disrupting interrogation procedures, and accepting something fraudulently.

Not looking good for Mr. Netanyahu.

[Lamoral]

I feel like Netanyahu has been president or prime minister or emperor or whatever of Israel for like the past 25 years…you don’t hold onto power for that long without being corrupt as hell (see also: V. Putin)

[chappachula]

@Snowboarder_Bo

This is the first I’ve heard of this; is it something or nothing?

It’s something. Possibly a big something.
The Israeli judicial system is used to dealing with criminals in the highest offices.
The previous Prime Minister , Ehud Olmert, is currently sitting in jail* for accusations similar to those now being aimed at Netanyahu.
Most Western countries probably would not go to such extremes as jailing their number one leader for these kinds of crimes. (which are basically a bunch of sleazy maneuvers to help friends in business win government contracts, or fixing precise tax regulations to let a friend get an exemption-- while accepting “gifts” 20 or 30 thousand dollars at a time)
So it’s not Watergate-level corruption, and it’s not multi-million dollar secret bank accounts…but it’s not at all kosher, either.
The charges may be hard to prove, but my guess is that this will probably mean the end of Netanyahu’s carreer.

*they had to rebuild a section of the jail to accommodate him, because as an ex-head of government, he knows state secrets, and can’t mix with the regular prisoners.

[Kolak_of_Twilo]

@chappachula

:::snip:::

The charges may be hard to prove, but my guess is that this will probably mean the end of netanyahu’s carreer.

:::snip:::

From your mouth to G-d’s ear.

[crypto]

@Snowboarder_Bo

VICE is reporting that Israeli police will recommend that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “be indicted on charges including bribery, fraud and breach of trust, for allegedly accepting bribes and gifts from wealthy benefactors.”

BUT:This is the first I’ve heard of this; is it something or nothing?

It’s something.

You won’t read much in the US press, but look at haaretz, or other Israeli/ME sources. Here’s just one news report.

He’s in trouble.

[Chronos]

Quoth chappachula:

So it’s not Watergate-level corruption, and it’s not multi-million dollar secret bank accounts…but it’s not at all kosher, either.

I don’t remember the rules exactly, but does this mean that he has to be buried outside for five years and then inspected by a rabbi before he’s allowed to eat milk again?

[carnivorousplant]

@Chronos

I don’t remember the rules exactly, but does this mean that he has to be buried outside for five years and then inspected by a rabbi before he’s allowed to eat milk again?

I think there is also something about an unblemished heifer.

[Snowboarder_Bo]

Police are talking to the Netanyahus

Israeli police were questioning Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife on Friday as part of an investigation into a corruption case involving the country’s telecom giant, Israeli media reported, casting a shadow on the prime minister’s upcoming visit to Washington.

Channel 10 TV showed footage of police entering Netanyahu’s residence. Reports said Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, was being questioned at another location.

It’s the first time that Netanyahu, who as prime minister also held the communications portfolio until last year, is being questioned over the affair, known as Case 4000.

The development comes ahead of Netanyahu’s visit to Washington where he is to meet with President Donald Trump and speak before the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC next week.

Police have recommended indicting Netanyahu on corruption charges in two other cases.

Netanyahu is accused of accepting nearly $300,000 in lavish gifts from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer. In return, police say Netanyahu operated on Milchan’s behalf on U.S. visa matters, legislated a tax break and connected him with an Indian businessman.

In the other case, Netanyahu is accused of offering a newspaper publisher legislation that would weaken his paper’s main rival in return for more favorable coverage. Netanyahu reportedly was recorded asking Arnon Mozes, the publisher of Yediot Ahronot, for positive coverage in exchange for helping to weaken Israel Hayom, a free pro-Netanyahu newspaper that had cut into Yediot’s business.