Journalist named by PM in recordings meets with police
Netanyahu reportedly suggested Avi Ratzon to Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes as a writer who would provide friendly coverage
An Israeli journalist reportedly named by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in conversation with a local media mogul was called in by police on Wednesday for questioning in their investigation of the matter.
Sports commentator and radio host Avi Ratzon arrived at the Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit’s headquarters in Lod Wednesday morning, after his name was mentioned in recordings, made secretly, of conversations between Netanyahu and Yedioth publisher and owner Arnon Mozes as a potential pro-Netanyahu writer for Yedioth.
The recordings are of an alleged quid pro quo deal between Netanyahu and Mozes, in which the prime minister reportedly promised to advance legislation that would reduce the pro-Netanyahu Israel Hayom daily’s circulation in exchange for friendlier coverage from Mozes’ Yedioth.
In a transcript of a segment of the recordings published by Channel 2 over the weekend, Mozes tells Netanyahu: “Get me someone who can write articles starting tomorrow. Nu. From tomorrow morning — unrelated to anything, before (we pass) the law. Before everything. I’m trying to demonstrate to you my goodwill. Bring me someone.”
Netanyahu responds: “Take that guy. The soccer player, Avi Ratzon.”
Mozes expresses disagreement to the proposal, prompting Netanyahu to say: “What do you care?”
Police were expected to ask Ratzon whether he was ever contacted by either Netanyahu or Yedioth about working for the daily and if he was asked to write favorably about the prime minister.
On Tuesday, Israel Hayom editor Amos Regev also provided testimony at the Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit.
Regev’s meeting with police came as Mozes was questioned by investigators for a third straight day as police look into the unfolding scandal and other suspicions reportedly involving expensive gifts to the prime minister from businessmen.
Israel Hayom, which was launched in 2007 and has become Israel’s most highly circulated daily, has been a firm voice of support for the prime minister. It is owned by the Jewish-American casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, a staunch Netanyahu supporter.
On Monday, Channel 10 reported that Adelson is expected to give testimony in the coming days. Investigators are expected to ask Adelson whether he was aware of the alleged deal the prime minister discussed with Yedioth publisher Arnon Mozes, according to Channel 10.
In leaked transcripts of audio recordings from 2014, Netanyahu seems to promise to advance legislation designed to hobble Adelson’s free Israel Hayom daily in exchange for competing paper Yedioth giving the prime minister more favorable coverage.
Netanyahu’s late 2014 conversations with Mozes are at the heart of one of two corruption investigations into Netanyahu, which have seen the prime minister questioned three times under caution and Mozes questioned four times under caution.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, in a speech Monday, said police had collected considerable evidence abroad in recent months in the second investigation, which concerns alleged illicit benefits received for years by Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, from businessmen.
Sources close to Netanyahu have alleged that he recorded the conversations because he feared Mozes was trying or would try to extort him.
The second investigation into Netanyahu is probing claims that he and his wife received thousands of shekels’ worth of luxury gifts from businessmen including the Israeli Hollywood-based film producer Arnon Milchan.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu’s son Yair gave testimony to police regarding the second investigation, over allegations that the younger Netanyahu stayed in hotel rooms paid for by Australian billion James Packer.
