Former Israeli premier and opposition leader Yair Lapid arrives to testify in the corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. AFP
Former Israeli premier and opposition leader Yair Lapid arrives to testify in the corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. AFP
Former Israeli premier and opposition leader Yair Lapid arrives to testify in the corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. AFP
Former Israeli premier and opposition leader Yair Lapid arrives to testify in the corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. AFP

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid testifies in Netanyahu's corruption trial


Thomas Helm
  • English
  • Arabic

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid testified in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which will determine whether the long-serving prime minister is guilty of corruption charges.

Mr Lapid gave evidence in a packed court relating to his 2013 stint as finance minister when Mr Netanyahu was also the prime minister.

Mr Netanyahu faces charges of breach of trust, bribery and fraud.

Questioning focused on whether Mr Netanyahu sought to give an improper tax break to receive gifts from Israeli film producer Arnon Milchan.

Mr Lapid said that Mr Milchan was allegedly lobbying the prime minister for a 10-year extension to tax breaks that Israelis returning from abroad currently receive.

Benjamin Netanyahu appears at the Jerusalem District Court in 2022. AP
Benjamin Netanyahu appears at the Jerusalem District Court in 2022. AP

The prosecution argues that Mr Netanyahu sought to pressure the former finance minister into accepting the legislation that would directly benefit Mr Milchan, and go against the advice of some in the Finance Ministry at the time, according to Mr Lapid.

The opposition leader said Mr Netanyahu had casually sought to lobby him for the law, which he refused to do.

Mr Netanyahu’s defence warned throughout Mr Lapid’s evidence that the opposition leader was using his platform for political messaging in front of several journalists.

Mr Lapid is at the forefront of a block of high-profile opposition lawmakers seeking to end the prime minister’s plans to drastically alter Israel’s judiciary. He has also been a vociferous critic of the new far-right government on many other issues.

Mr Milchan is due to give evidence via video link next week.

Neil Thomson – THE BIO

Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.

Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.

Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.

Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.

Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.

Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.

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THE BIO

Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

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Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017

Updated: June 12, 2023, 10:39 AM`