Former aide signs deal to testify against Netanyahu
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been named as a suspect in two investigations into allegations of ‘‘fraud, breach of trust and bribes’’, with his former chief of staff signing a deal with prosecutors to testify against him.
The moves mark the most serious political crisis yet for the Israeli leader, the only prime minister to rival founding father David Ben-Gurion for longevity in office.
The suspicions against Netanyahu, who denies any wrongdoing, were first revealed in a court application by detectives on Friday seeking a gag order on reporting details of negotiations with Ari Harow, the former chief of staff, to become a state witness. Talks were concluded yesterday, with Harow signing a deal under which he has agreed to testify.
According to a statement from Israel Police, Harow is expected to receive six months of community service and a fine on separate breach of trust charges – rather than a prison sentence – in exchange for his testimony.
The latest dramatic twists in the series of long-running investigations into Netanyahu, his family and close circle have led some commentators in the Israeli media to suggest that an indictment may now be inevitable.
Amid mounting calls from politicians for Netanyahu to stand down if he is charged in any of the investigations, commentators even in media usually friendly to the prime minister – including the right-wing Jerusalem Post – have begun beginning to talk about ‘‘alternatives’’ to him.
The confirmation of the seriousness of the allegations comes a day after his wife, Sara, was again interviewed by police in a separate case relating to claims for household costs in the prime minister’s residence.
Netanyahu and his office have dismissed the accusations against him as a politically motivated witch hunt designed to push him out of office.
The saga has also lifted the lid on the cosy and often nepotistic relationship between Israel’s business and political elite in a country where many citizens struggle with a high cost of living and modest salaries.
The application for the gag order followed confirmation by Israel’s attorney general, Avichai Mandelblit, that talks were under way with Harow, a close confidant of Netanyahu, to testify in exchange for leniency.
Harow served as Netanyahu’s chief of staff for two years from 2008, when the politician was in opposition. He returned in 2014 to serve as the prime minister’s chief of staff, but resigned a year later amid allegations of corruption, which he denied.
Harow was accused of using his ties to Netanyahu to advance his private interests. Police have recommended that he be indicted for bribery and breach of trust, but Mandelblit has yet to file formal charges against him.
The gag order also affects the socalled case 1000, in which the prime minister and his wife are suspected of receiving illicit gifts from billionaire benefactors – most notably expensive cigars and champagne from the Israeli-born Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan. Netanyahu is the primary suspect in the case. The couple have denied any wrongdoing.