In court, Netanyahu again insists friendship with Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan was real, not transactional

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives testimony at the Tel Aviv District Court on the fifth day of cross examination in his criminal trial, and once again insists that his relationship with Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan was based on true friendship and not, as the prosecution argues, one in which Milchan sought Netanyahu’s favor by showering him with luxury gifts.

“When Arnon celebrated his birthday, he didn’t invite all these people,” Netanyahu says, referring to several prominent politicians at the time who, unlike him, were not in attendance.

“If you would question him, you would need to ask him if he had such a connection, of such depth, with all these people – I tell you unequivocally no. The connection between us was unique, deep and very, very friendly,” Netanyahu tells prosecutor Yonatan Tadmor.

In Case 1000, Netanyahu is charged with the crime of fraud and breach of trust over allegations that he used his influence to try and benefit Milchan on several issues, while at the same time receiving cigars, champagne and jewelry worth hundreds of thousands of shekels from the billionaire.