In “Case 1000,” in which the prime minister is charged with fraud and breach of trust, Lapid appears as the prosecution’s witness.
On Monday, the head of Israel’s opposition gave testimony in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial, which may result in his impeachment if he is found guilty.
In the “Case 1000” trial, where Netanyahu is charged with giving the Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan a tax relief in exchange for pricey gifts, Yair Lapid testified for the prosecution.
The leader of the Yesh Atid party discussed his encounters with Netanyahu in 2013 while he was the Israeli prime minister’s finance minister.
He said that he had two conversations with the premier about the circumstance.
“When we first met, Netanyahu asked me, “Did Milchan speak with you about the law? ” I replied that he had, and he asked, “What do you think? ” I replied, “I’m not so sure about it,’ and he replied, “[That] it’s a good law. ‘.
The second time was the same when Netanyahu inquired as to what was happening with it.
When I replied that it would not take place, he once more insisted that it was a “good law,” according to Lapid.
In three cases referred to as Case 1000, Case 2000, and Case 4000, Netanyahu was accused of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in 2019. He claims he did nothing wrong.
In Case 1000, he is accused of accepting gifts worth 700,000 shekels ($195,000) from prominent Israeli Hollywood producer and Oscar nominee Milchan and Australian businessman James Packer to his wife Sarah.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, said the gift exchange was an act of kindness.
Since returning to power late last year, the new government of Netanyahu, the country’s most right-wing prime minister, has launched a judicial reform program that critics say could help him avoid conviction or dismiss lawsuits. claims to be. The prime minister rejected such proposals and said he would not intervene in court proceedings.
Widespread corruption
Corruption allegations in 2019 cast a shadow over Israeli politics, with the country holding five polls in less than four years. Each vote was effectively a referendum on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s ability to govern.
Prime Minister Netanyahu returned to power in December after being defeated by an opposition coalition in 2021.
During a trial, the prime minister is not required to resign under Israeli law.
More than 40 prosecution witnesses have testified in the trial, which has been going on since May 2020. Some of Netanyahu’s closest friends and former confidants have turned against him. Witness accounts have revealed insight on the three cases, yet additionally uncovered hair-raising insights concerning Netanyahu’s personality and his family’s standing for living off the largesse of citizens and affluent allies.
The trial is anticipated to last another five years as per the current court schedule.
