Benjamin Netanyahu is the first Israeli leader to face trial. He is being accused of fraud, corruption and bribery.
He denies all accusations and in a statement outside the court house he said the charges were aimed at “toppling him in any way possible”.
Netanyahu’s charges are as follows:
- Case 1,000 – Fraud and breach of trust: he is accused of receiving gifts – mainly cigars and bottles of champagne – from powerful businessmen in exchange for favours
- Case 2,000 – Fraud and breach of trust: Mr Netanyahu is accused of offering to help improve the circulation of Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot in exchange for positive coverage
- Case 4,000 – Bribery, fraud and breach of trust: as PM and minister of communications at the time of the alleged offence, Mr Netanyahu is accused of promoting regulatory decisions favourable to the controlling shareholder in the Bezeq telecom giant, Shaul Elovitch, in exchange for positive coverage by Mr Elovitch’s Walla news site
So behaviour typical to just about all Government leaders. I do not mean this as a defense for Netanyahu, just a reminder that corruption like this exists in just about every Government around the World – hence I support the abolishment of these corrupt institutions.
These particular accusations against Netanyahu pale into insignificance when compared to the real crimes he is responsible, but that’s a topic for a whole different post
Nevertheless, this will be an interesting story to follow over the coming days and weeks, while Netanyahu is not required to resign if found guilty of the charges, it will surely create some unease in the Country.
We’ll keep you posted on how this story develops.
Further Reading:
[1] BBC NEWS
