Australian Report: Billionaire Packer Paid Netanyahu's Lawyer $1.25 Million
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
An Australian newspaper reported that billionaire James Packer paid $1.25 million to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, over two years. The payments began after Packer and Netanyahu renewed their personal relationship, during which Packer allegedly gave gifts worth NIS 230,000 to the Netanyahus. The defense is seeking Packer's testimony in Netanyahu's trial, arguing it's crucial for understanding the alleged benefits.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Billionaire James Packer allegedly paid $1.25 million to Prime Minister Netanyahu's lawyer over two years.
- Payments to lawyer Amit Haddad began after Packer and Netanyahu renewed their personal contact.
- Packer allegedly gave Netanyahu and his wife gifts worth approximately NIS 230,000.
- The defense seeks Packer's testimony in Netanyahu's trial, calling him a crucial witness.
- Packer's alleged gifts represent one-third of the total benefits attributed to Netanyahu.
An investigation by the Sydney Morning Herald alleges that Australian billionaire James Packer, accused by the state of illegally giving gifts to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, transferred $1.25 million to Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, over the past two years. According to the report, Packer sent $50,000 monthly to Haddad's law firm, which represents Netanyahu in his trial. The payments originated from a company owned by Packer and went to Haddad's firm, starting shortly after Packer and Netanyahu renewed their contact.
Packer did not deny the payments, with his associates claiming they were "unrelated to the trial." The indictment states that between 2014 and 2016, Packer gave Netanyahu and his wife ongoing gifts, including cigar boxes and champagne, valued at approximately NIS 230,000 (NIS 145,000 for cigars and NIS 83,000 for champagne).
Unlike the case involving Arnon Milchan, where the prosecution claims Netanyahu performed official actions, the connection with Packer was personal, stemming from Packer's admiration for Netanyahu. The gifts were given "in connection with his position as Prime Minister." Packer was listed as a prosecution witness but has not yet been summoned to testify, nor has the prosecution announced it is waiving his testimony.
On the day the report was published, the defense requested the judges to take Packer's testimony via video conference, similar to Arnon Milchan. The defense argued that Packer is a relevant and important witness, mentioned 34 times in the indictment, and that his testimony is crucial for understanding his motives and state of mind, as only he can testify to these firsthand. Packer's alleged gifts constitute one-third of the total value of benefits attributed to the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, lawyer Amit Haddad continued his cross-examination of the former Attorney General as a defense witness in the Jerusalem District Court. Haddad declined to comment on the publication to reporters.
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