Australian Billionaire Paid Millions to Netanyahu's Defense Lawyers
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Australian billionaire James Packer transferred over $1.25 million to the law firm representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his corruption trial. The payments, which began in September 2024 and lasted for two years, were reportedly for business dealings but have raised questions about potential undisclosed benefits for Netanyahu. Packer's representatives claim the funds were for legitimate work, but evidence was not provided, and Israeli authorities have previously restricted Netanyahu's access to donor funds for his defense.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- James Packer transferred at least $1.25 million to Benjamin Netanyahu's defense lawyers.
- The payments were made from Packer's company to the Haddad, Rot, and Shanir law firm.
- Transfers began in September 2024, two months after Packer and Netanyahu reconnected.
- Packer is linked to Case 1000, where Netanyahu is accused of receiving gifts.
- Packer's associate claims payments were for business, not Netanyahu's trial.
- Evidence for the claimed business work was not provided to the newspaper.
Australian billionaire James Packer transferred at least $1.25 million, approximately 3.9 million shekels, to the law firm representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his trial, according to a report by the Sydney Morning Herald. The payments, totaling $50,000 monthly, were made from a company controlled by Packer to the Haddad, Rot, and Shanir law firm starting September 23, 2024, and continued for about two years.
These financial transfers began approximately two months after Netanyahu and Packer reconnected in July 2024, coinciding with Netanyahu's speech at the U.S. Congress, which Packer attended. Packer is linked to Case 1000, where Netanyahu faces charges of fraud and breach of trust for allegedly receiving gifts from Packer and businessman Arnon Milchan. Packer himself has not been indicted in this case.
Packer did not deny the payments but declined to comment. A source close to him stated the funds were for work performed for Packer, including identifying business opportunities in Israel, and were unrelated to Netanyahu's trial. However, the newspaper reported that it did not receive evidence of such work, and lawyer Amit Haddad did not respond to inquiries.
Israeli authorities have previously prevented Netanyahu from receiving funds from wealthy supporters for his legal defense. Given this context, an informed source urged an urgent review of these payments to determine if they provided Netanyahu with any undisclosed benefit. The Sydney Morning Herald, however, clarified that it could not verify if Netanyahu directly or indirectly benefited from the funds.
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