Mandelblit: Evidence lacking, but suspicions there

Here are some key points from Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit’s decision not to probe Netanyahu.

Noting the large difference between the price Netanyahu paid for the shares and how much he sold them to his cousin Nathan Milikovsky for, Mandelblit writes that it “raises the possibility that Netanyahu bought the rights from the Milikowsky family for a price drastically lower than its true value, and thus received highly significant benefits.”

“However, given the passage of time, there is a difficulty in collecting a comprehensive evidentiary basis that will allow findings about the existence and scope of benefits, which are tied to the value of the businesses they dealt in.”

Mandelblit notes that they could have still proceeded if Milikowsky had benefitted materially from Netanyahu’s actions in buying the sea vessels and that Netanyahu had known that Milikowsky would benefit from the deal with Thyssenkrupp. “However, as presented to me, there is not justifiable evidence showing the existence of reasonable suspicion on this matter.”

Mandelblit also notes that GrafTech was not a major supplier to Thyssenkrupp, which may have changed the case.

He concludes his 13-page decision by noting that “should new material arise justifying a new check in the future, the appropriate action will be taken.”