Netanyahu graft investigation held up due to PM’s recent travels

An ongoing police investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s affairs over graft allegations is being held up due to the Israeli leader’s recent overseas travels.

Investigators from the Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit have had difficulty setting up an additional interview with the prime minister in recent weeks, Channel 2 reported on Friday, adding that talks were ongoing between the police and the Prime Minister’s Office over committing to a date and time for the questioning.

Police, according to Channel 2, have complained that any other suspect would have had to comply with the requests and would have been questioned long ago.

Netanyahu recently went on a week-long trip to Singapore and Australia on state visits. Previously, the PM visited Washington for his first meeting with US President Donald Trump since his election in November.

The investigation, dubbed Case 1000, into whether there has been an illegal conflict of interest in Netanyahu accepting gifts from businessmen, and taking actions on their behalf, is one of a series of ongoing corruption investigations against the prime minister who has firmly denied any wrongdoing.

According to Channel 2, investigators are also having a difficult time setting up interviews with two key persons in the investigations, namely Israeli Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, who allegedly provided Netanyahu and his wife with expensive cigars and champagne valued at hundreds of thousands of shekels, and Australian businessman, James Packer, who is said to have paid for expensive meals and accommodation for the Netanyahus’ son Yair.

Police, according to the report, said an earlier assessment that the investigation would conclude in March was no longer realistic and that investigators were more likely to finish their work on the case in April.

Last month, Haaretz reported that Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit rejected a police request to question former US Secretary of State John Kerry and former US ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro in the investigation, following allegations that Netanyahu asked Kerry three times in 2014 to intervene and arrange a long-term US visa for Milchan. Shapiro was also asked about the matter, according to the report.

“At the current time the attorney general feels there is no real need to question them,” a source involved in the investigation told Haaretz. “We are still in the middle of the investigation, and if it turns out later that it is necessary to get testimony from either of the American officials the testimony will be taken.”

However, he added, “we will try very hard to avoid such a move.”

Born in Israel, the LA-based Hollywood producer Milchan, 72, never became a US citizen, but used to enjoy 10-year visas to live there, Channel 2 news said in January. However, in 2013, he gave an interview to the same TV channel in which he acknowledged that he had worked in the past for the Israeli intelligence community. In the wake of his disclosures, the TV report said, Milchan — behind such movie hits as “Fight Club,” “Pretty Woman,” “LA Confidential,” “12 Years a Slave” and “The Big Short” — was no longer afforded 10-year US visas, and instead was required to apply for an annual extension.

Acting on Milchan’s behalf, Netanyahu asked Kerry three times in 2014 to intervene; restoration of a 10-year US visa for Milchan was subsequently secured, the TV report said.

Police said last month that the investigation will likely lead to a recommendation to indict Netanyahu. Officials said they were looking at two options: accusing the premier of breach of trust only, or adding the more serious charge of accepting a bribe.

In response to the report on Friday, the prime minister released a statement through his office chastising the police for indicating that a recommendation to indict was likely, before the investigation is completed, but then asking for more interviews.

“What is there more to investigate if they indicated that they will recommend an indictment? This is what happens when pre-conceived notions clash with the facts. Like I’ve said before: ‘There will be nothing because there is nothing,'” Netanyahu said in the statement.

The prime minister is also being investigated in a second case, known as Case 2000, which involves alleged negotiations with the publisher of the Yedioth Aharonoth daily, Arnon Mozes, and focuses on the prime minister’s supposed promise to advance legislation to hobble the Sheldon Adelson-controlled Israel Hayom paper in exchange for more favorable coverage from Yedioth.

Channel 10 reported in January that police were looking into two more possible criminal probes against Netanyahu, dubbing them “Case 3000” and “Case 4000.”

The TV report suggested that Case 3000 deals with the purchase of submarines, but gave no information on Case 4000. Channel 2 News said last month that police sources deny the existence of Case 4000.