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Netanyahu Linked to More Suspected Bribery

Netanyahu Linked to More Suspected Bribery

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Just societies would hold anyone culpable of criminality linked to Netanyahu accountable straightaway - major war crimes and civil ones in his case.

So far, he remains unindicted, his wife as well despite her wrongdoing discussed in earlier articles.

Former Netanyahu spokesman Nir Hefetz is suspected of offering  retired Israeli judge Hila Gerstel the job of attorney general in return for using her position to close the case against Sara Netanyahu, the prime minister's wife - bribery if evidence proves it.

Al-Monitor's Israel Pulse columnist Ben Caspit broke the story, saying Netanyahu "risks implication in (a) third scandal."

He and wife Sara are "addicted to living off others, sometimes even against the law."

Hefetz is suspected of approaching Gerstel through an intermediary. Police are questioning him and the other individual.

Gerstel reportedly told Israeli Supreme Court Justice (now chief justice) Esther Hayut about the offer received. It's unclear if law enforcement officials were informed at the time.

Police confirmed the above details without revealing individuals involved.

According to Caspit, Hefetz allegedly requested a discreet meeting with Gerstel adviser Eli Kamir, telling him: 

"If you go into a closed room with justice Gerstel and check with her, would she commit to closing the investigation against Sara Netanyahu in exchange for her appointment as attorney general? What would her response be?"

If the above is true, Netanyahu could face another bribery charge. Hefetz denies it, saying no "attempted bribery involving Gerstel" occurred.

He also denied he was in talks to turn state's witness against the prime minister. Netanyahu denied it, through his office saying:

"Nir Hefetz never made this absurd offer in front of the prime minister and his wife. He was never asked to make such an offer, and we cannot believe Hefetz even considered such a thing."

Sara Netanyahu faces multiple charges of inflating amounts paid a chef used to prepare meals at the official residence for guests and family members.

Hefetz along with other current and former Israeli officials were arrested in connection with the so-called Case 4000.

It involves Walla news owner/controlling shareholder of Bezeq telecommunications company Shaul Elovitch, suspected of ordering favorable coverage for Netanyahu on his news site in return for benefits arranged for Bezeq.

Netanyahu is suspected of arranging things for Elovitch to receive hundreds of millions of shekels in return for services rendered the prime minister.

Elovitch, his wife and son were arrested, along with former communications ministry director Shlomo Filber, Bezeq CEO Stella Handler, and senior company official Amikam Shorer.

Netanyahu and wife Sara are being questioned on their suspected involvement in the case.

Police said two other suspects were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of public corruption in connection to the alleged Gerstel offer.

According to police "(d)uring  the investigation, evidence accumulated that the offenses were committed at the end of 2015, when an offer was made to a senior public official to promote her appointment to the position of attorney general, thus tilting the selection process in her favor, allegedly in exchange for a future promise by the candidate regarding a future decision in a certain criminal case, in which the suspects had interest."

Earlier, police recommended Netanyahu be indicted for bribery and breach of trust related to Cases 1000 and 3000, discussed in earlier articles.

So far he remains unindicted, maybe not for much longer.

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