Law Enforcement Aware of Millions Paid to Netanyahu's Lawyer
Translated & summarized from Haaretz by baba
Law enforcement agencies were aware for months of at least $1.25 million transferred from businessman James Packer to lawyer Amit Haddad, who represents Benjamin Netanyahu, but have not opened an investigation. The monthly payments, totaling $50,000 from September 2024 to October 2026, are suspected of funding Netanyahu's defense. Haddad asserts the funds were for private business representation, not Netanyahu's legal costs.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Law enforcement knew for months about millions transferred from James Packer to Amit Haddad, Netanyahu's lawyer.
- At least $1.25 million was transferred monthly from Packer's company to Haddad's firm between 2024 and 2026.
- The payments are suspected of funding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legal defense.
- Haddad claims the money was for his private business representation, not Netanyahu's defense.
- A senior legal professional called the sum "a crazy amount, a full-time job."
Law enforcement agencies have known for months that businessman James Packer transferred millions of dollars to Amit Haddad, a lawyer representing Benjamin Netanyahu, yet no investigation has been opened. The transfers, totaling at least $1.25 million, occurred monthly between September 2024 and October 2026, with $50,000 sent each month from Packer's Consolidated Press company account to Haddad's law firm. This raises suspicions of Packer funding Netanyahu's legal defense, a move potentially prohibited for the Prime Minister.
Haddad claims the payments were for his private business representation and not for Netanyahu's defense. However, a senior legal professional noted that Packer has not visited Israel for years, and Haddad is not an investment expert, calling the sum "a crazy amount, a full-time job." The revelations were first published by the Australian newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald just before elections. Haaretz has since learned that law enforcement was aware of these transfers months prior to the report, possessing solid information without initiating an inquiry.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Coverage from Haaretz
