Netanyahus ‘used code words to hide trail of luxury goods they received’
Movie producer tells corruption case hearing the Israeli prime minister and his wife Sara demanded a ‘supply line’ of gifts, including champagne and cigars
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Hollywood film producer Arnon Milchan has claimed Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife used code words for the extravagant gifts he supplied them so as not to draw attention to the exchanges.
Giving evidence in Brighton in one of three corruption cases filed against Netanyahu, Milchan told a Jerusalem court that the PM and wife Sara would call cigars “leaves” and champagne “roses” as they demanded £157,000 worth of luxury gifts.
Milchan, who has a home in Sussex, had chosen to speak in the hearing from a Brighton courtroom claiming his security could be protected better there.
But attending Sunday’s hearing, Netanyahu’s wife Sara was confronted by protestors from the Defend Israeli Democracy movement, as she attempted to leave.
שרה נתניהו מנסה להתגנב החוצה מיציאת החירום, אך נתקלת גם שם במפגינים שאומרים לה את דעתם.
מחכים להם בכל מקום ❤️ ????????#DefendIsraeliDemocracy pic.twitter.com/krkEeBL9pm
— Defend Israeli Democracy (@IsraeliDefend) June 25, 2023
Prosecutors allege that Netanyahu wrongfully received the luxury gifts from Milchan and from an Australian fellow billionaire, as he helped Milchan with his business interests and his US visa status.
Asked about the gifts he supplied to the duo, Milchan told the court:” “We called shirts ‘dwarves,’ cigars we called ‘leaves’, champagne we called ‘roses’.”
The Pretty Woman movie producer said he was subjected to “routine requests” from Netanyahu and his wife which he came to dislike.
He claimed the Netanyahu’s would make it clear they disliked gifts when they were sent different types of champagne.
“Immediately Mrs Netanyahu caught on [and said] that it was not the right champagne . . . We smiled and fixed it,” he said.
Meanwhile the Israeli PM also complained on one occasion after the cigars he received were thinner than those he was used to.Netanyahu claims the gift-giving among friends was just ordinary conduct.
He has denied all charges and has said his trial is a political witch-hunt.The Israeli PM has previously been indicted on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust for allegedly offering regulatory favours to businessmen in return for positive favourable media coverage.
Around 200 Israeli expats had protested against Netanyahu on Sunday in Brighton.
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