JERUSALEM, Oct 7, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu’s wife Sara Netanyahu goes on trial Sunday for allegedly using
state funds to fraudulently pay for hundreds of meals, part of a list of
legal troubles facing the family.
The start of the trial will be the latest chapter in a saga intensely
scrutinised in Israel — but dismissed by the Netanyahus as another “absurd”
attempt to discredit them.
The veteran premier himself faces possible charges in separate corruption
investigations, leading to speculation that he will eventually be forced to
step down.
Sara Netanyahu was charged with fraud and breach of trust in June.
Prosecutors accuse her of misusing state funds to pay for catered meals
costing $100,000 (85,000 euros) by falsely declaring there were no cooks
available at the premier’s official residence.
From 2010 to 2013, she, her family and guests received “fraudulently from
the state hundreds of prepared meals”, the indictment read.
According to the charge sheet, the meals were ordered from a variety of
well-known Jerusalem businesses, including an Italian restaurant, a Middle
Eastern grill joint and a sushi establishment.
The trial, which could run for months, is to open in the Jerusalem
magistrates court at 1:30 PM (1030 GMT), overseen by a panel of three judges
due to the “public sensitivity” of the case.
It was originally scheduled to start in July but was postponed for reasons
that were not made public.
Sara Netanyahu, aged 59 and a high-profile presence at her husband’s side
throughout his long tenure, has denied any wrongdoing.
But the case has again turned the spotlight on the Netanyahu family and
past allegations of misbehaviour.
Sara Netanyahu has previously been accused of pocketing cash from deposit
refunds for empty bottles returned from the official residence.
She has also faced accusations of mistreating staff, and in 2016 a court
awarded some $47,000 in damages to a former housekeeper who accused the
couple of repeated workplace abuse.
– ‘Blood spilled’ –
All the allegations have been closely covered in the Israeli media. The
Netanyahus have hit back, calling them grossly unfair smear attempts.
Sara Netanyahu has in the past said that her “blood has been spilled
publicly.”
One particularly high-profile example occurred in 2017, when both the
premier and his wife appeared in court in their libel case against a
journalist’s claim that Sara Netanyahu kicked her husband out of the car
during a row.
Benjamin Netanyahu testified that the story was a “ridiculous” fabrication.
The court later awarded the Netanyahus $32,500.
But there are potentially more serious allegations facing Benjamin
Netanyahu.
The right-wing prime minister has held the job for a total of more than 12
years, first from 1996-99 and again beginning in 2009. He could next year
surpass the record set by Israel’s founding father David Ben-Gurion, who
spent more than 13 years in office.
But Netanyahu faces a possible indictment in the months ahead. On Friday
police quizzed him for a 12th time as a suspect in various cases.
Allegations against him include allegedly seeking a secret deal with the
publisher of Israel’s top-selling newspaper Yediot Aharonot to ensure
positive coverage in return for pushing forward a law that would have limited
the circulation of a rival.
Another case involves suspicions that the prime minister and his family
received luxury gifts from wealthy individuals in exchange for financial or
personal favours. There is also an ongoing inquiry into the prime minister’s
ties with local telecoms giant Bezeq and its largest shareholder, Shaul
Elovitch, according to Israeli media.
In that case, Benjamin Netanyahu is alleged to have sought favourable
coverage from another Elovitch company, the Walla news site, in exchange for
government policies that could have benefited the mogul’s interests to the
tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Elovitch was arrested in February along with six other people, including
Nir Hefetz, a former media adviser to the Netanyahu family who has turned
state witness.
Police have recommended Benjamin Netanyahu be indicted in two cases, though
the attorney general has yet to decide whether to do so.
Despite the ongoing investigations, Netanyahu has remained strong in polls
and he is not obliged to step down if formally charged.