Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was concerned for Israel’s security after billionaire Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan – a good friend of his who later became a state’s witness in the case against him – confirmed that he worked to negotiate arms deals on behalf of an Israeli agency in 2013, the prime minister said on Tuesday.
In Case 1000, or the “Illegal Gifts Affair,” Netanyahu is on trial for allegedly receiving goods from billionaires Milchan and James Packer. The prosecution has claimed that the goods – boxes of cigars and champagne – placed Netanyahu in a conflict of interest, which manifested in regulations he allegedly pushed that aided Milchan.
In his testimony on Monday, Netanyahu said that Milchan was a good friend of his and that he took pleasure in giving him gifts – with no connection to Netanyahu’s political position. He added that there was nothing legally problematic with their relationship and that Milchan contributed significantly to the country.
Acting on behalf of Israel in several security aspects
In 2013, Milchan gave an interview to Channel 12’s investigative team, Uvda, in which he said that he acted on behalf of Israel in several security aspects. This confirmed a 2011 unauthorized biography of Milchan, which detailed the activities further.
Netanyahu said on Tuesday that he thought the biography was “a disaster” and that he shared this sentiment with Milchan as well. “I told him that I thought this could end badly.”
After these two instances – the biography and the interview – the validity of Milchan’s US visa was shortened from the planned 10 years to one. The indictment alleges that Netanyahu asked then-US secretary of state John Kerry to help extend Milchan’s visa, supposedly using his position of power to advance the process.
Lead defense attorney Amit Hadad asked Netanyahu on Tuesday about the media storm that followed the interview, including coverage by major international news outlets.
The interview led to a wave of coverage at the time, including by international news agencies. “I thought this might lead to immense dangers to the State of Israel if it develops,” said Netanyahu, adding that he understood that Milchan wanted to “tell his side of the story.”
Netanyahu noted that he advised Milchan to talk in the interview about his Hollywood career – rather than security matters.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw the interview. The sensor failed here in a way that is incomprehensible,” he said.
“I thought this might lead the Americans to act... that it would cause Israel severe damage if it were to develop,” he said. His testimony then continued behind closed doors due to the nature of its contents.
The hearing of Netanyahu’s criminal corruption trial began in delay on Tuesday morning in the Tel Aviv District Court due to security consultations requested by the defense already on Monday that bled into Tuesday morning.