Arnon Milchan Testifies in Netanyahu Corruption Trial
Arnon Milchan, a Hollywood film producer, appeared in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial on Sunday via videoconference from Brighton, UK. Milchan is a key witness in the case against Netanyahu, which accuses him of fraud and breach of trust. Prosecutors hope that Milchan’s testimony will provide evidence of lavish gifts given to Netanyahu and his wife, which allegedly influenced the Israeli leader to advance Milchan’s interests. The defense will argue that the gifts were just friendly gestures and that Netanyahu wasn’t acting in Milchan’s personal interests.
Milchan’s testimony is expected to last for six hours a day and will be aired in a Jerusalem courtroom for judges, lawyers, journalists, and other attendees to watch. Netanyahu, who has attended some of the hearings during his trial, arrived at the courtroom shortly after testimony began. Milchan, who is not charged in the case, greeted him in Hebrew using Netanyahu’s nickname: “Shalom, Bibi!” Sara Netanyahu, on a private visit to Britain, will also be present during the testimony.
The indictment accuses Milchan of giving Netanyahu and his wife boxes of cigars and crates of Champagne over several years, along with jewelry, which amounted to a value of nearly $200,000. The indictment also accuses Netanyahu of using his influential position to assist Milchan in securing a US visa extension and pushing legislation that would have granted Milchan millions in tax breaks. Prosecutors claim that Netanyahu and Milchan have had ties since 1999 and that Netanyahu should have avoided dealing with Milchan’s affairs.
Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing and claims that he is the victim of a witch hunt orchestrated by a liberal media and a biased justice system. His legal woes have put his fitness to rule while on trial at the center of a political crisis that sent Israelis to the polls five times in under four years. Critics accuse him of pushing a contentious government plan to overhaul Israel’s judiciary as a way to escape the charges.
The trial began in 2020 and has featured more than 40 prosecution witnesses, including some of Netanyahu’s closest former confidants who turned against him. Witness accounts have shed light not only on the three cases but also revealed sensational details about Netanyahu’s character and his family’s reputation for living off the largesse of taxpayers and wealthy supporters. Milchan’s aide, Hadas Klein, testified last year that the family “loves gifts.”
While the idea of a plea bargain has repeatedly surfaced, prosecutors appear determined to see the trial through, despite reports that the judges warned them that the more serious crime of bribery will be hard to prove.
Milchan’s Testimony
Milchan’s testimony is essential for prosecutors who are trying to prove that Netanyahu committed fraud and breach of trust. Prosecutors hope that his testimony will paint a picture of plush favors granted to Netanyahu and his wife that allegedly spurred the Israeli leader to use his position of power to advance Milchan’s interests.
According to the indictment, Milchan gave Netanyahu and his wife boxes of cigars and crates of Champagne over several years, along with jewelry, which amounted to a value of nearly $200,000. The indictment accuses Netanyahu of using his influential perch to assist Milchan in securing a US visa extension and pushing legislation that would have granted Milchan millions in tax breaks.
Prosecutors claim that Netanyahu and Milchan have had ties since 1999 and that Netanyahu should have avoided dealing with Milchan’s affairs. The defense will argue that the gifts were just friendly gestures and that Netanyahu wasn’t acting in Milchan’s personal interests.
Netanyahu’s Legal Woes
Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing and claims that he is the victim of a witch hunt orchestrated by a liberal media and a biased justice system. His legal woes have put his fitness to rule while on trial at the center of a political crisis that sent Israelis to the polls five times in under four years. Critics accuse him of pushing a contentious government plan to overhaul Israel’s judiciary as a way to escape the charges.
The trial began in 2020 and has featured more than 40 prosecution witnesses, including some of Netanyahu’s closest former confidants who turned against him. Witness accounts have shed light not only on the three cases but also revealed sensational details about Netanyahu’s character and his family’s reputation for living off the largesse of taxpayers and wealthy supporters.
Conclusion
Arnon Milchan’s testimony is essential for prosecutors who are trying to prove that Netanyahu committed fraud and breach of trust. Prosecutors hope that his testimony will paint a picture of plush favors granted to Netanyahu and his wife that allegedly spurred the Israeli leader to use his position of power to advance Milchan’s interests. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing and claims that he is the victim of a witch hunt orchestrated by a liberal media and a biased justice system. His legal woes have put his fitness to rule while on trial at the center of a political crisis that sent Israelis to the polls five times in under four years. Critics accuse him of pushing a contentious government plan to overhaul Israel’s judiciary as a way to escape the charges.