Former communications minister testifies in Netanyahu corruption probe
Dalia Itzik questioned by police over allegations PM asked her to help businessman Arnon Milchan
Dalia Itzik, a former communications minister and Knesset speaker, was questioned by police on Wednesday as part of the corruption investigation into Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu.
Itzik, who served as communications minister in 2005, was questioned by the police’s Lahav 433 serious crimes unit regarding alleged illicit gifts given to Netanyahu and his family from billionaire benefactors.
Known as Case 1000, police are looking into gifts including hundreds of thousands of shekels’ worth of cigars and champagne said to have been given to the prime minister and his wife Sara, by Israeli-born Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan.
Itzik was asked about whether Netanyahu pressured her to help out Milchan and about the connection she had with the shareholders of Channel 10 television, including Milchan, the Haaretz daily reported.
Shaya Segal, a former close adviser to Netanyahu, who passed away earlier this month, tipped off investigators about a three-way meeting held in 2005 between Itzik, Netanyahu and Milchan, Channel 10 reported. During that meeting Netanyahu, who then served as finance minister, allegedly asked Itzik to help Milchan acquire a stake in the television station.
Eyal Gabbai, former director general of Netanyahu’s office was also summoned to testify.
Netanyahu and his wife have denied that receiving the gifts constituted a criminal offense, claiming the value of the items was significantly lower than reported, and that they were mere “trifles” exchanged between close friends.
A separate investigation, known as Case 2000, focuses on an alleged clandestine quid pro quo deal made between Netanyahu and Yedioth Ahronoth publisher and owner Arnon “Noni” Mozes, in which the prime minister is said to have promised Mozes he would advance legislation to reduce the circulation of Yedioth’s main commercial rival, the freebie Israel Hayom, in exchange for friendlier coverage from Yedioth. No such deal was ever implemented. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing.
