Allegations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust have been brought against Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
As reported by CNN, Israeli police said Tuesday that there’s “sufficient evidence” to indict Netanyahu and criminal charges in two separate corruption cases have been brought against him. Israeli police are investigating whether Netanyahu accepted gifts including cigars from overseas businessmen, and is particularly honing-in on the prime minister’s relationship with Arnon Milchan, an Israeli billionaire and Hollywood film producer.
The second case involves Netanyahu’s conversations with the owner of one of Israel’s leading newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, which is known to be critical of the prime minister. In leaked transcripts of conversations with the paper’s owner, Arnon Mozes, Netanyahu talks about limiting the circulation of a competing news publication, bartering for more favorable coverage.
Netanyahu said Tuesday that the allegations would not amount to anything. Investigation evidence will now go to the attorney general, who will decide whether to indict the prime minister. So what does this mean for the state of Israel? Larry speaks to a reporter and analysts to find out more.
Guests:
Paul Danahar, Washington bureau chief for the BBC; former Jerusalem bureau chief for the network; he is also author of “The New Middle East: The World After the Arab Spring”
Eran Vigoda-Gadot, a political scientist and the dean of the faculty of social sciences at The Haifa University in Israel
Aaron David Miller, vice president for new initiatives and Middle East Program director at the Wilson Center; former adviser to Republican and Democratic Secretaries of State on Arab-Israeli negotiations, 1978-2003; he tweets