Netanyahu’s defense starts Milchan cross-examination: A chance to clear your name

Opening cross-examination of Arnon Milchan, a lawyer for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells the media mogul that his goal is to “correct this injustice done to you and that was done to Netanyahu.”

“You are a wonderful person, everyone in this room owes a huge debt for what you did for the benefit of the country’s security,” says defense lawyer Amit Hadad, in reference to Milchan’s past of dealing arms and working for Israel’s Mossad spy agency.

“Unfortunately, they turned you into a person who gave cigars and champagne. They dragged you into a thing in which you don’t belong. You are an honest person and you never thought you were doing anything improper,” Hadad adds.

“A significant part of the cross-examination will be devoted to correcting this injustice that was done to you and that was done to Netanyahu,” he continues.

Milchan yesterday confirmed that he supplied the prime minister and his wife with lavish gifts. The state’s indictment against Netanyahu places this figure at NIS 462,000 ($127,000), with an additional NIS 229,000 ($62,000) attributed to Australian billionaire James Packer.

The prosecution closed its direct examination of star witness Milchan shortly before Hadad began his remarks.