Asked why he never turned down the Netanyahus’ requests for gifts, Arnon Milchan cites their friendship.
“We were friends and I was happy to give them gifts,” he says during today’s testimony.
He is also asked who received the lion’s share of the cigars he gifted to friends. “Mr. Netanyahu,” he responds.
Milchan acknowledges reaching out to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — who has since entered the Jerusalem District Court to watch the remote testimony — about help with extending his US visa, one of several matters that prosecutors allege the premier advanced on the billionaire’s behalf in exchange for the gifts.
“[Netanyahu] didn’t help me, he couldn’t help me at the time. He said ‘call Ambassador Dan Shapiro,'” Milchan says, referring to the US envoy at the time.
He then confirms in his testimony to police that he later arrived at the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem with champagne and cigars, and asked Netanyahu about the visa as they met. Milchan confirms that Netanyahu asked his then-aide Ari Harow to look into the matter.
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From the Liveblog of
Monday, June 26, 2023
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