http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43051249
Israel PM Netanyahu faces corruption charges
Israeli police say that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be charged over alleged bribery cases.
A police statement said there is enough evidence to indict Mr Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in two separate cases.
Police had questioned Mr Netanyahu as part of an inquiry into corruption allegations last month.
Speaking on Israeli television, he said the allegations were baseless and that he would continue as prime minister.
What are the allegations?
One case centres on an allegation that Mr Netanyahu asked the publisher of an Israeli newspaper, Yediot Aharonot, for positive coverage in exchange for help in reining in a rival publication.
Police said the editor of Yediot Aharonot, Arnon Mozes, should also face charges.
The second allegation centres on a claim that Mr Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister since 2009, received more than $100,000 (£72,000) in gifts from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan and other supporters.
The Jerusalem Post says the gifts included champagne and cigars, and were given in exchange for help getting Mr Milchan a US visa.
Mr Milchan should face bribery charges, police said.
Haaretz newspaper reports that Mr Netanyahu, after receiving gifts, pushed for the Milchan Law, which ensures Israelis who return to live in Israel from abroad are exempt from paying taxes for 10 years.
What happens now?
A final decision on whether Mr Netanyahu should face charges will come down to the attorney general's office.
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked said any prime minister who has been charged should not be obliged to resign.
And speaking on Israeli television, Mr Netanyahu said he would continue in his role.
He said the recommendations made by police will "end with nothing".
The 68-year-old is in his second stint as prime minister, and has served in the role for a total of 12 years.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-10/benjamin-netanyahu-son-caught-in-strip-club-brag/9316792
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu under fire after son's brag about controversial gas deal
Updated 10 Jan 2018, 4:29pm
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Video: Israeli TV airs audio of Netanyahu's son bragging about gas deal (ABC News)
Related Story: Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption probe could be his undoing
Related Story: Packer to be questioned by Israeli police in Netanyahu probe: local media
Map: Israel
Israel's embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a fresh scandal after a recording emerged of his 26-year-old son joyriding at taxpayer expense to Tel Aviv strip clubs, and bragging about how his father pushed through a controversial gas deal.
Key points:
The 2015 recording, aired on Monday night on Israel's top-rated news broadcast, sparked public outrage over its misogynistic content and raised questions over why a state-funded bodyguard and driver needed to accompany Yair Netanyahu and his friends on the trip.
The often combative Yair Netanyahu issued a quick apology, saying the remarks did not represent the values he was raised on and were made under the influence of alcohol.
But the fallout was swift.
A pair of opposition MPs appealed to the Attorney-General to investigate the younger Netanyahu's security needs, saying it was "disgraceful that public funds fuel a culture of women's exploitation".
Others piled on.
"Even big kids say what they hear at home," said Eitan Cabel of the opposition Labor Party.
References to gas deal, prostitutes
In the recording, Yair Netanyahu and his friends recount their night out on the town and make disparaging comments about strippers, waitresses and other women, including one of Yair Netanyahu's former girlfriends.
He is also heard drunkenly bragging to the son of an Israeli oil tycoon about how the Prime Minister advanced a bill in parliament that the younger Netanyahu appeared to believe delivered billions of dollars to his friend's father.
The boasts are an embarrassment for Benjamin Netanyahu, who stands accused of accepting a fortune's worth of cigars and champagne from rich supporters.
At one point, Yair Netanyahu cryptically refers to 400 shekels (about $148) paid to a prostitute.
"Speaking of prostitutes, what's open at this hour?" he asks his friends, before they settle on a well-known bistro.
"It's possible the waitresses there go with the flow."
One of his buddies, Roman Abramov, even jokes that the security guard, who was privy to the banter, would have to be killed if he ever left his job so the conversation would not leak.
Most of the public outcry, however, involved the younger Netanyahu's comments to the son of Israeli tycoon Kobi Maimon about the gas deal.
My dad arranged $US20 billion ($25.5 billion) for your dad, and you're whining with me about 400 shekels," he said.
Adding to the public anger was the fact that the salacious outing took place on the eve of the Jewish Sabbath — and was aired just as Benjamin Netanyahu's Government was passing unpopular legislation to curb business on the Sabbath under pressure from ultra-Orthodox Jewish coalition partners.
The Prime Minister, who has repeatedly attacked the media as his legal troubles have mounted, issued a typical response after the recordings were released, calling them the height of a media-orchestrated witch hunt aimed at ousting him and saying the press had stooped to unprecedented "persecution, bloodletting and shaming".
"We have no intention of addressing the cheap and malicious gossip regarding snippets of jokes that were made after a night of drinking that don't reflect Yair's positions and were taken out of context from an illegal and tendentious wiretap," a statement from the family said.
But on Tuesday, Mr Netanyahu softened his rhetoric, saying that his son's comments were the result of alcohol consumption and that he was raised to respect women.
Another scandal for PM's family
The Netanyahu family's perceived hedonism and sense of entitlement has landed them in trouble before, with repeated inquiries into their conduct.
Israeli police say the Prime Minister is suspected of fraud, breach of trust and bribes in a pair of cases.
One involves reportedly more than $100,000 worth of cigars and liquor that Mr Netanyahu and his wife Sara received from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, who is said to have asked Mr Netanyahu to press then US secretary of state John Kerry in a visa matter.
Yair Netanyahu has also repeatedly drawn criticism for living a life of privilege at taxpayers' expense, hobnobbing with ultra-rich donors and making crude social media posts, all while never holding down a job.
Australian billionaire James Packer has reportedly lavished the younger Netanyahu with gifts including extended stays at luxury hotels in Tel Aviv, New York and Aspen, Colorado, as well as the use of his private jet and dozens of tickets for concerts by Packer's former fiancee, Mariah Carey.
Police are trying to determine whether these constitute bribes, since Mr Packer is reportedly seeking Israeli residency status for tax purposes.
Israel's Channel 2 News, which broke the story of the latest scandal on Monday, said Yair Netanyahu ended the evening with his friends by staying at Mr Packer's luxury residence in Tel Aviv.
Media player: "Space" to play, "M" to mute, "left" and "right" to seek.
Video: James Packer reportedly gave lavish gifts to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his family. (7.30)
In further comments, Mr Netanyahu said he had no connection to Mr Maimon and was unaware of their sons' friendship.
He added that his son had no knowledge of the gas deal and that his own backing of expanded natural gas extraction did nothing to benefit Mr Maimon.
Mr Netanyahu also accused a disgruntled driver in the Prime Minister's office of making the illicit recording and attempting to sell it for a profit — and demanded that Channel 2 disclose how much it paid for it.
AP
Topics: government-and-politics, world-politics, law-crime-and-justice, corruption, israel
First posted 10 Jan 2018, 10:51am
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Israel PM Netanyahu faces corruption charges
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Israeli police say that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be charged over alleged bribery cases.
A police statement said there is enough evidence to indict Mr Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in two separate cases.
Police had questioned Mr Netanyahu as part of an inquiry into corruption allegations last month.
Speaking on Israeli television, he said the allegations were baseless and that he would continue as prime minister.
What are the allegations?
One case centres on an allegation that Mr Netanyahu asked the publisher of an Israeli newspaper, Yediot Aharonot, for positive coverage in exchange for help in reining in a rival publication.
Police said the editor of Yediot Aharonot, Arnon Mozes, should also face charges.
The second allegation centres on a claim that Mr Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister since 2009, received more than $100,000 (£72,000) in gifts from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan and other supporters.
The Jerusalem Post says the gifts included champagne and cigars, and were given in exchange for help getting Mr Milchan a US visa.
Mr Milchan should face bribery charges, police said.
Haaretz newspaper reports that Mr Netanyahu, after receiving gifts, pushed for the Milchan Law, which ensures Israelis who return to live in Israel from abroad are exempt from paying taxes for 10 years.
What happens now?
A final decision on whether Mr Netanyahu should face charges will come down to the attorney general's office.
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked said any prime minister who has been charged should not be obliged to resign.
And speaking on Israeli television, Mr Netanyahu said he would continue in his role.
He said the recommendations made by police will "end with nothing".
The 68-year-old is in his second stint as prime minister, and has served in the role for a total of 12 years.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-10/benjamin-netanyahu-son-caught-in-strip-club-brag/9316792
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu under fire after son's brag about controversial gas deal
Updated 10 Jan 2018, 4:29pm
Media player: "Space" to play, "M" to mute, "left" and "right" to seek.
Video: Israeli TV airs audio of Netanyahu's son bragging about gas deal (ABC News)
Related Story: Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption probe could be his undoing
Related Story: Packer to be questioned by Israeli police in Netanyahu probe: local media
Map: Israel
Israel's embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a fresh scandal after a recording emerged of his 26-year-old son joyriding at taxpayer expense to Tel Aviv strip clubs, and bragging about how his father pushed through a controversial gas deal.
Key points:
- Recording features Netanyahu's son bragging about controversial gas deal and making disparaging remarks about women
- Yair Netanyahu heard saying the PM helped an Israeli tycoon earn $25.5b by pushing a deal through parliament
- Israeli PM rejects any connection to tycoon, says his son was raised to respect all women
The 2015 recording, aired on Monday night on Israel's top-rated news broadcast, sparked public outrage over its misogynistic content and raised questions over why a state-funded bodyguard and driver needed to accompany Yair Netanyahu and his friends on the trip.
The often combative Yair Netanyahu issued a quick apology, saying the remarks did not represent the values he was raised on and were made under the influence of alcohol.
But the fallout was swift.
A pair of opposition MPs appealed to the Attorney-General to investigate the younger Netanyahu's security needs, saying it was "disgraceful that public funds fuel a culture of women's exploitation".
Others piled on.
"Even big kids say what they hear at home," said Eitan Cabel of the opposition Labor Party.
References to gas deal, prostitutes
In the recording, Yair Netanyahu and his friends recount their night out on the town and make disparaging comments about strippers, waitresses and other women, including one of Yair Netanyahu's former girlfriends.
He is also heard drunkenly bragging to the son of an Israeli oil tycoon about how the Prime Minister advanced a bill in parliament that the younger Netanyahu appeared to believe delivered billions of dollars to his friend's father.
The boasts are an embarrassment for Benjamin Netanyahu, who stands accused of accepting a fortune's worth of cigars and champagne from rich supporters.
At one point, Yair Netanyahu cryptically refers to 400 shekels (about $148) paid to a prostitute.
"Speaking of prostitutes, what's open at this hour?" he asks his friends, before they settle on a well-known bistro.
"It's possible the waitresses there go with the flow."
One of his buddies, Roman Abramov, even jokes that the security guard, who was privy to the banter, would have to be killed if he ever left his job so the conversation would not leak.
Most of the public outcry, however, involved the younger Netanyahu's comments to the son of Israeli tycoon Kobi Maimon about the gas deal.
My dad arranged $US20 billion ($25.5 billion) for your dad, and you're whining with me about 400 shekels," he said.
Adding to the public anger was the fact that the salacious outing took place on the eve of the Jewish Sabbath — and was aired just as Benjamin Netanyahu's Government was passing unpopular legislation to curb business on the Sabbath under pressure from ultra-Orthodox Jewish coalition partners.
The Prime Minister, who has repeatedly attacked the media as his legal troubles have mounted, issued a typical response after the recordings were released, calling them the height of a media-orchestrated witch hunt aimed at ousting him and saying the press had stooped to unprecedented "persecution, bloodletting and shaming".
"We have no intention of addressing the cheap and malicious gossip regarding snippets of jokes that were made after a night of drinking that don't reflect Yair's positions and were taken out of context from an illegal and tendentious wiretap," a statement from the family said.
But on Tuesday, Mr Netanyahu softened his rhetoric, saying that his son's comments were the result of alcohol consumption and that he was raised to respect women.
Another scandal for PM's family
The Netanyahu family's perceived hedonism and sense of entitlement has landed them in trouble before, with repeated inquiries into their conduct.
Israeli police say the Prime Minister is suspected of fraud, breach of trust and bribes in a pair of cases.
One involves reportedly more than $100,000 worth of cigars and liquor that Mr Netanyahu and his wife Sara received from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, who is said to have asked Mr Netanyahu to press then US secretary of state John Kerry in a visa matter.
Yair Netanyahu has also repeatedly drawn criticism for living a life of privilege at taxpayers' expense, hobnobbing with ultra-rich donors and making crude social media posts, all while never holding down a job.
Australian billionaire James Packer has reportedly lavished the younger Netanyahu with gifts including extended stays at luxury hotels in Tel Aviv, New York and Aspen, Colorado, as well as the use of his private jet and dozens of tickets for concerts by Packer's former fiancee, Mariah Carey.
Police are trying to determine whether these constitute bribes, since Mr Packer is reportedly seeking Israeli residency status for tax purposes.
Israel's Channel 2 News, which broke the story of the latest scandal on Monday, said Yair Netanyahu ended the evening with his friends by staying at Mr Packer's luxury residence in Tel Aviv.
Media player: "Space" to play, "M" to mute, "left" and "right" to seek.
Video: James Packer reportedly gave lavish gifts to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his family. (7.30)
In further comments, Mr Netanyahu said he had no connection to Mr Maimon and was unaware of their sons' friendship.
He added that his son had no knowledge of the gas deal and that his own backing of expanded natural gas extraction did nothing to benefit Mr Maimon.
Mr Netanyahu also accused a disgruntled driver in the Prime Minister's office of making the illicit recording and attempting to sell it for a profit — and demanded that Channel 2 disclose how much it paid for it.
AP
Topics: government-and-politics, world-politics, law-crime-and-justice, corruption, israel
First posted 10 Jan 2018, 10:51am
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