Police: Benjamin Netanyahu ‘suspected of bribery, fraud and breach of trust’

Benjamin Netanyahu is suspected of having committed bribery, fraud and breach of trust, Israeli police have publicly confirmed for the first time.

The news was revealed as Israeli Police requested a gag order prohibiting news media from reporting on the ongoing talks to secure a state witness to testify against Mr Netanyahu. The gag order was granted and lasts until September 17.

Police investigators have questioned Netanyahu several times and have also interviewed some of the prime minister’s friends and associates.

Mr Netanyahu, Israel’s second-longest serving prime minister, is accused of offering commercial favours to a newspaper owner in return for positive stories and of accepting bribes from a Hollywood billionaire.

A spokesman on behalf of the prime minister said: "We completely reject the unfounded claims made against the prime minister. The campaign to change the government is underway, but it is destined to fail, for a simple reason: there won't be anything because there was nothing."

Discussions with Mr Netanyahu's former chief of staff, Ari Harow, to secure him as a witness for the state were "making progress", according to Israel's Attorney General, Avichai Mendelblit. Mr Harow is also suspected of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, along with aggravated fraud and money laundering.

The accusations against Mr Netanyahu revolve around two separate cases.

The first, known as Case 1000, relates to his connection to Arnon Milchan, the billionaire Hollywood producer. Mr Netanyahu is accused of allegedly accepting lavish gifts, including cigars and champagne, from him. The prime minister is accused of subsequently lobbying

then US Secretary of State John Kerry on the billionaire’s behalf while he was trying to acquire a new US visa.

Mr Netanyahu’s lawyer, Yaakov Weinroth, is previously reported to have said: “Any reasonable person knows that there is nothing remotely criminal involved when a close friend gives his friend a gift of cigars.”

The second case, called Case 2000, includes accusations that Mr Netanyahu allegedly offered to cut the circulation of Israel Hayom, a pro-Netanyahu newspaper, if Arnon Mozes, the proprietor of Yedioth Ahronoth, told his paper to be more favourable towards the Prime Minister.

During the investigation of Harow, police found recordings on his mobile phone documenting the Netanyahu-Mozes conversations that form the basis of the Case 2000 probe.

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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

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MATCH INFO

Asian Champions League, last 16, first leg:

Al Ain 2 Al Duhail 4

Second leg:

Tuesday, Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha. Kick off 7.30pm

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What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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