- By Yolande Knell
- BBC News, Jerusalem
4 hours ago
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Arnon Milchan appears before a remote session of the Israeli court in the English seaside resort of Brighton
With dramatic moments worthy of one of his films, a top Hollywood producer is cross-examined in the Israeli Prime Minister’s corruption trial.
Arnon Milchan, an Israeli billionaire now based in the UK, has admitted that his gifts of rosé champagne and cigars to Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife may have been “over the top”.
He is a key witness for prosecutors trying to prove allegations of fraud and breach of trust in one of three cases against Mr Netanyahu that have cast a long shadow over Israeli politics.
The Prime Minister is also accused of fraud, embezzlement and bribery in connection with the other two cases. He denies doing anything wrong and claims he was the victim of a political witch hunt.
Mr Milchan, whose films include ‘Pretty Woman’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ’12 Years a Slave’, appears at his request before a distance hearing of the Israeli court in Brighton.
His statement has sparked colorful anti-Netanyahu protests in the English seaside town near where he now lives, providing an unexpected change of pace for holidaymakers.
Questions about Mr. Milchan’s contributions to Israel’s security will be heard behind closed doors at the request of defense lawyers. He is said to have made part of his money as an arms dealer and to have worked with Israeli intelligence in procuring arms since the 1960s.
At the beginning of his testimony, which began on Sunday, the witness described his relationship with Mr Netanyahu as “close friends, almost brothers” and said they enjoyed discussing history together.
He also pointed out that there was a patriotic dimension, saying, “I can’t tell you how many things Bibi and I have done for the country in secret.”
When the prime minister arrived at the Jerusalem District Court to watch the trial live on a screen, Mr. Milchan greeted him with the words “Shalom, Bibi,” using his nickname.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing and says he was the victim of a witch hunt
Sara Netanyahu has made a private trip to Britain and is allowed to represent her husband as a defendant in the Old Ship Hotel room rented by the Israeli government for the court hearing.
Prosecutors allege that from 2011 to 2016 Mr Netanyahu unlawfully received gifts worth nearly 700,000 shekels (US$191,000; £150,000) from Mr Milchan and an Australian billionaire, which the indictment described as a “supply line” for champagne and cigars becomes. The court heard these were codenamed “roses” and “leaves.”
The film mogul described how the gifts, which included expensive shirts and jewellery, were initially given spontaneously but over time became routine and were then sometimes sent at the recipient’s request.
“Sometimes the leaves happened on my initiative, I came to visit,” he told the court. “At other times [Mr Netanyahu] would ask me, ‘Say, are there leaves at home?’ What about the roses?’”
In turn, Mr Netanyahu is accused of using his position to help Mr Milchan with his US visa status and to push for legislation that serves his business interests, according to a 2019 indictment by the then attorney general. The prime minister insisted that the gifts he enjoyed from his friends were ordinary behavior.
During the so-called Case 1,000 investigation, Mr. Milchan was initially suspected of bribery by the Israeli police, but the Attorney General found no reason to charge him. Like the prime minister, he denies any wrongdoing. The Australian billionaire has also not been charged and has denied any wrongdoing.
His lawyers advocated giving Mr Milchan special permission to testify remotely from Brighton, citing medical reasons for the 78-year-old’s refusal to travel to Israel. Court documents show that he has not returned to his home country for several years.
Investigations into Mr Netanyahu’s behavior began in 2016 and led to his trial, which began three years ago. The criminal trials helped bring about an unprecedented period of political deadlock, during which Israel voted five times in less than four years.
Mr Netanyahu’s political opponents have argued that he should not hold office during the trial.
Since he returned to power late last year after 18 months in opposition, critics have also accused him of pushing controversial judicial reform, partly in response to his legal predicament. The prime minister and his allies deny this, saying their planned changes would reshape the balance between branches of government.
Around 40 prosecution witnesses have already been heard in the ongoing trial, including some of Netanyahu’s former close associates and confidants. Mr Milchan’s testimony is expected to take a few more days.
There was repeated talk of a comparison, but no agreement was reached. Last week, Israeli media reported that judges had warned prosecutors that the most serious crime of bribery was difficult to prove.