Israeli media: Netanyahu confidant to testify against PM in corruption investigations

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s closest confidant has turned state witness and will incriminate him in corruption allegations, Israeli media reported yesterday.

Police would not confirm whether long-time aide Shlomo Filber would testify against the beleaguered Mr Netanyahu, but all major Israeli media said the deal had been reached.

Mr Filber, former director of the Communications Ministry under Mr Netanyahu, was arrested on suspicion of pushing regulations worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Israel’s Bezeq telecoms company.

In return, Bezeq’s popular news site Walla allegedly provided favorable coverage of Mr Netanyahu and his family.

The reports came shortly after another major allegation – that a different confidant tried to bribe a judge in exchange for dropping a corruption case against Mr Netanyahu’s wife.

Nir Hefetz, a long-time media adviser to Mr Netanyahu and his family, remains in custody.

The prime minister, who held the communications portfolio until last year, has not yet been named a suspect although he may soon be questioned.

He has denied all charges, calling them part of a media witch hunt that has swept up the police and prosecution.

But the string of accusations appears to be taking its toll. Senior Cabinet ministers from his ruling Likud party, who until just recently have dutifully defended him, have largely gone silent.

Mr Netanyahu appeared ashen in a video released late on Tuesday in which he called the claims “total madness”.

Aluf Benn, editor-in-chief of the Haaretz daily, yesterday wrote that “these are the final days of Benjamin Netanyahu’s rule”.

Other columnists suggested that if Mr Filber told all he knew, Mr Netanyahu was probably more worried about avoiding jail than staying in office.

The collapse of Mr Netanyahu’s inner circle has spawned rampant speculation that he may step down in return for a deal that offers him amnesty.