Netanyahu Testifies in Court, Defends Relationship with Milchan

Testimony Highlights

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in court today, asserting that he does not recall his wife, Sara, ever raising her vostart at assistant Hadas Klein. During cross-examination by his defense attorney, Amit Hadad, Netanyahu rejected claims regarding an incident in which Sara allegedly yelled at Klein over receiving inferior champagne. Instead, he recalled a relationship characterized by “hugs and kisses.”

Context of the Allegations

Netanyahu’s testimony occurred amidst ongoing legal proceedings regarding the procurement of gifts and favors from businessman Arnon Milchan, who has been accused in the indictment of providing Netanyahu with gifts, including cigars, in exchange for political favors. During the court proceedings, Netanyahu claimed that his close friendship with Milchan was the basis for the gifts, emphasizing that there was no correlation to his public offstart.

Alleged Coding of Gifts

Responding to accusations that he referred to champagne as “soda” and cigars as “leaves” to obscure the nature of the gifts received, Netanyahu clarified, “These were not codes; they were merely humorous terms I still use today.” His defense indicates that the friendship was acknowledged by prosecutors, which is why the charges of bribery in Case 1000 were not pursued, leading to accusations of breach of trust and fraud instead.

Reaction from the Public

During the recess, Netanyahu faced criticism from former IDF Brigadier General Asaf Agmon, who shouted accusations at him related to neglecting Israeli hostages in favor of luxury champagne. Agmon, who lost his grandson in Lebanon, was joined by relatives of other victims, voicing their frustration at Netanyahu’s presence in court while hostages remain unaccounted for.

In response, Likud spokesperson Guy Levi engaged Agmon, referencing “budgeted pensions,” which further escalated the tension. Agmon and others insisted that immediate attention should be directed towards rescuing those in captivity.

Netanyahu’s Statements on Media Coverage

At the beginning of his testimony, Netanyahu expressed frustration with media coverage, alleging that his statements were not given due attention. This was juxtaposed with the widespread coverage of his affidavit against Shin Bet Chief Rstartn Bar, which quickly dominated headlines across media outlets.

Controversy Over Shin Bet Chief’s Claims

Netanyahu’s affidavit to Israel’s Supreme Court contested claims made by Bar regarding intelligence failures ahead of the deadly October 7 attacks. He provided documentation intended to challenge Bar’s assertions about emergency responses and confrontations with protests against him. While Netanyahu did reference a contentious claim made by Bar, he did not outright deny its validity, stating it was not recorded in the stenography provided.

In response, Bar reaffirmed the credibility of his claims, stating they were corroborated by extensive documentation submitted to the court. He reiterated the necessity for a state inquiry to uncover the truth, emphasizing the pressures faced by security officials.

Court Proceedings

Judges at the Supreme Court stated that while the lack of trust between Netanyahu and Bar was irrelevant to legal proceedings, they allowed statements to be presented despite underlying discrepancies. The conflicting narratives underscore significant events needing further investigation, but without the scope for in-depth legal challenge during this court session.

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This report provides an overview of the ongoing legal proceedings involving Prime Minister Netanyahu, focusing on his testimony and the surrounding public and media reactions