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ISRAEL-POLITICS-CORRUPTION
Israel PM’s wife goes on trial in delivery meals case
JERUSALEM, Oct 7, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The wife of Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin 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 Sara Netanyahu’s 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 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, opens in the Jerusalem magistrates
court at 1:30 PM (1030 GMT) with a hearing on whether it should be overseen
by a panel of three judges instead of one due to the case’s “public
sensitivity”.
It was due to start in July but was postponed for reasons that were not
made public.
Sara Netanyahu, 59 and a high-profile presence at her husband’s side
throughout his long tenure, has denied any wrongdoing.
“For the first time in history, charges are being pressed against a
leader’s wife over noodles and take-away containers from six to seven years
ago,” a statement from her lawyers said Sunday.
The meals were ordered “against Sara Netanyahu’s will”, it said.
– ‘Blood spilled’ –
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.
The Netanyahus have hit back calling the allegations — which have been
closely covered in the Israeli media — 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.
– Allegations over luxury gifts –
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.
In one of them he allegedly tried to secure 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 premier and his family received
luxury gifts from wealthy individuals in exchange for financial or personal
favours.
There is also an ongoing inquiry into his 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.
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.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1408 hrs