Netanyahu charges involve a ‘quid pro quo’
Israeli PM under no legal obligation to resign now that he’s been indicted
Israel’s attorney general formally charged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with bribery, fraud and breach of trust Thursday, the latest development in Netanyahu’s drawnout indictment process as the country continues to grapple with an election impasse.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longestserving prime minister, has cultivated a cult of personality around himself as he’s centralized power toward the right. He’s in turn obsessed with media coverage about him and his family, and dismisses any corruption claims as a “witch hunt.”
Netanyahu has denied all allegations. He is under no legal obligation to resign now that he’s been indicted. He’d only have to step down if convicted, a process that could take many more years.
Still, today’s indictment is a big deal, in part because the attorney general’s 63-page report provides a closer look into the charges and evidence against Netanyahu. Here are the main take-aways.
Case 400, the most serious of the charges, alleges that between 2012 and 2017, Netanyahu had a “quid pro quo” arrangement with a tycoon who owned a popular news website, Walla, in which Netanyahu wanted favourable coverage.
The businessman, Shaul Elovitch, is a majority shareholder in Israel’s largest telecommunications company, Bezeq, which owns Walla. Netanyahu is accused of using his political power to shape and ease regulations in favour of Bezeq in return for positive Walla coverage of him and his wife, Sara.
The financial results for Bezeq, the indictment claims, were “huge,” or around $500 million (U.S.).
The indictment claims that “Elovitch made explicit links” between ensuring positive coverage of Netanyahu in Walla and the prime minister helping Bezeq. Elovitch’s wife was also involved and “complied” with the Netanyahus’ demands regarding media coverage in return for the prime minister promoting and pushing for Bezeq’s business interests.
“The Elovitches also made it clear to various parties in Walla that Netanyahu and his family’s image should be improved in order to make their desired regulatory decisions,” the indictment continues, describing it as a “give and take.”
The appendix chronicles the drama, from Elovitch ordering news taken down, headlines and pictures changed, and even a live feed of an anti-Netanyahu protest cut from the website — all at the behest of the “clients,” i.e. the Netanyahus.
The indictment further alleges that Netanyahu and Elovitch concealed their relationship from officials and that “the Elovitch couple worked to destroy evidence found on their mobile phones.” They also instructed then-Walla CEO Ilan Yeshua to do the same.
“Mr. Netanyahu used his power and authority as a public servant to promote issues that he was interested in promoting — for him, for Bezeq or for various companies in the Eurocom group, through which he controlled Bezeq and Walla,” the charges conclude.
Both Elovitchs have also been charged with bribery and obstruction of justice and denied all the allegations.
In Case 200, a fraud and breach of trust charge, Netanyahu is accused of agreeing with Arnon Mozes, the owner of Israel’s bestselling daily newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, to push to limit the circulation of a rival newspaper in exchange for more positive coverage.
Case 100, another fraud and breach of trust charge, accuses Netanyahu of receiving “a supply line of gifts” from Arnon Milchan, an American Hollywood mogul, and Australian billionaire James Packer in exchange for favours from the prime minister.
According to the indictment, Milchan and Packer gave Netanyah u and his wife about $200,000 worth of gifts, mainly consisting of cigars and champagne.