Latest news with #SaraNetanyahu
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Binyamin Netanyahu cross-examined for the first time in corruption trial
Five years after the start of his corruption trial, Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu underwent cross-examination for the first time on Tuesday. Mr Netanyahu is facing charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust – all of which he denies. The first cross-examination session on Tuesday focused on allegations that he had received gifts from wealthy benefactors. Mr Netanyahu claimed that the gifts were due to the close personal relations he developed with certain billionaires. He denied that the presents, which included cigars, champagne and jewellery, were given in return for favours. The prosecution noted one occasion when Sara Netanyahu, Mr Netanyahu's wife, asked Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan to buy a large Bugs Bunny doll for their son, later asking him to exchange it for a larger one. Mr Netanyahu claimed he could not remember the gift. READ MORE Prosecution lawyer Yonatan Tadmor raised the question of Mr Netanyahu's memory. 'You don't have problems with your memory, right?' he asked. 'We all do, from time to time,' Mr Netanyahu answered, before Mr Tadmor reminded him that on 1,788 occasions during his investigation he had claimed an inability to remember, implying this was the answer he gave when he preferred to avoid uncomfortable questions. Mr Netanyahu is the first sitting prime minister in Israeli history to have taken the stand as a defendant. His questioning over the last few months by the defence legal team has been chaotic. Numerous sessions have been cancelled, delayed or finished early due to pressing matters of state, most connected to the Gaza war. In almost every court appearance Mr Netanyahu has received notes from aides updating him on military and diplomatic developments. This has strengthened the arguments of opponents of Mr Netanyahu who claim that in a country such as Israel – particularly in the midst of a 20-month war – it is simply impossible for a prime minister to appear in court three times a week for months on end. [ Binyamin Netanyahu becomes first sitting Israeli PM to take stand as criminal defendant Opens in new window ] Mr Netanyahu faces corruption charges in three cases. The first, known as Case 1,000, centres on gifts he allegedly received from Mr Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer. Case 2,000 focuses on an illicit deal he allegedly tried to strike with Arnon Mozes, the publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, to ensure positive coverage. Case 4,000 centres on an alleged deal by which Shaul Elovitch, then the controlling shareholder of Israeli telecom corporation Bezeq, ensured positive coverage of the Netanyahu family by the Walla! news website, which Mr Elovitch owned, in exchange for the prime minister promoting government regulations worth the equivalent of hundreds of millions of euro to the company. Mr Netanyahu denies all of the allegations, claiming the graft claims are nothing more than a witch hunt by the left, supported by the judiciary and media, in an effort to topple him from power. It is expected the cross-examination stage may continue into 2026, with the trial itself lasting at least another two years. Even if Mr Netanyahu is eventually convicted, and assuming he appeals, legally he would be required to resign only after the final judgment of Israel's supreme court, which could take a further few years. According to Israeli law, the maximum punishment is 10 years in jail for a bribery conviction, but this scenario is unlikely since the judges have already recommended that the prosecution drop the bribery charges. The punishment for fraud and breach of trust is three years in jail.
Al Bawaba
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Did Zini's relationship to Sara Netanyahu land him the shin bet job?
ALBAWABA - The appointment of General David Zini as the new leader of Israel's internal security agency, the Shin Bet, by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked intense controversy. Reports have focused on Zini's hardline religious beliefs, lack of intelligence expertise, and purported personal relationship to Sara Netanyahu. Israeli media sites such as Ynet and BeHadrei Haredim claim that Netanyahu had previously turned down Zini for the position of military secretary, calling him "too messianic" in private conversations. The phrase alludes to Zini's membership in the religious Zionist movement, which some consider to be politically and socially extremist and holds that the establishment of a future Israeli state is connected to the arrival of the Messiah and the reconstruction of the Third Temple. Zini's philosophy had previously raised problems, but Netanyahu abruptly changed his mind and named him head of the Shin Bet. Given that the Shin Bet head is essential to ensuring national security, this shift has drawn condemnation from Israel's religious and secular communities. After General Ori Gordon resigned and General Yaniv Assor was assigned to the Southern Command, Zini, a revered operational officer and a key player in the religious Zionist camp, had previously been considered for senior command positions in the Israeli army, specifically the Northern Command. Zini's lack of previous intelligence work experience and his history of publicly criticizing the Israeli government and military exacerbated the response. His stances, according to his detractors, make him a divisive and contentious candidate to lead a security organization entrusted with managing political sensitivities and internal dangers. Additionally, according to sources, Netanyahu did not confer with General Eyal Zamir or Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi before appointing Zini, even though Zini is now the Commander of the IDF's Training Command and was involved in Operation Gideon Chariots. According to analysts, Netanyahu could have foreseen possible resistance from military leadership. Unverified rumors of a private connection between Zini and Sara Netanyahu have added to the public's curiosity. While no official pronouncements have addressed the claim, some assume that the relationship may have had a role in the Prime Minister's abrupt shift in stance. Particularly within the right-wing and religious sectors, the appointment has generated intense controversy. While some see it as a gain for religious Zionism, others wonder about the political reasons behind it and its ramifications for national security.
Saba Yemen
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Al-Qassam Brigades release emotional message from two Israeli captives: "Our Lives Are in Danger"
Gaza - Saba: Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), released a video on Saturday featuring two Israeli captives, one of whom appeared to be in severe condition, lying on a bed. The captive, who identified himself as "Prisoner No. 21," spoke while seated next to another sick captive lying on the bed, saying: "This is Prisoner No. 22... I don't want to talk about myself, I want to talk about him because his physical and psychological condition is very difficult." Addressing Israeli society, he said: "There are still many living captives. If you want to know how many, simply ask Sara Netanyahu—apparently, she knows what you don't." He then directed his words to Sara Netanyahu: "You, Sara, just tell us—what is the number you want so we can return to our houses? How many more have to die?" He added, "Since we heard that this war has been going on for many months, we realized how much this endangers our lives... Since then (pointing to his fellow captive), he hasn't stopped harming himself. Since then, we've lost our world and lost hope." The captive mentioned that his fellow prisoner had attempted suicide, saying: "A few days ago, my colleague tried to harm himself, but I and a Qassam fighter intervened to help him and stopped him. As a result, he also tried to harm us." He continued, "Our lives have become critical. Every minute here is critical." The Israeli captive further stated: "We can't sleep. Prisoner No. 22 refuses to eat or drink. We barely have any food in this horrific reality." He also addressed the pilots who signed petitions calling for a ceasefire, saying: "I am very proud of you because you decided not to fly, and that poses a serious threat to our lives." Then he added: "But to those pilots who chose to keep flying and bombing us and civilians—what will you say to your families and to ours?" Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Al Bawaba
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Footage of Israeli captive attacking Sara Netanyahu - Al-Qassam
ALBAWABA – The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, released a new video of an Israeli captive in Gaza, identified as "Prisoner No. 21", in which he speaks about the deteriorating conditions faced by captives and launches a sharp attack on Israeli leadership—particularly Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In the recorded message, the captive described the worsening physical and psychological state of fellow captive "Prisoner No. 22", claiming he has repeatedly tried to harm himself and others. He recounted a recent incident where he had to intervene—alongside a Qassam fighter—to prevent No. 22 from self-harm. The video showed No. 22 lying motionless and exhausted. According to the speaker, Prisoner No. 22 refuses to eat or drink, though resources are already extremely scarce. He said his cellmate is consumed with thoughts of his wife and son, and warned of the consequences if the situation continues unchecked. 'What will happen if I leave him alone? I can't imagine it,' he said, noting that he had also stopped eating in solidarity, stating, "Our fate is in your hands." The captive addressed Israeli pilots, expressing pride in those who refused to fly combat missions out of concern for captive safety. However, he criticized those still conducting airstrikes on Gaza, accusing them of endangering both hostages and civilians. 'What do you tell your families? What do you tell ours?' he asked. He further claimed that several hostages remain alive and suggested the Israeli public should 'ask Sara Netanyahu' about their exact number, implying she holds information not shared with the public. Directly addressing her, he asked, 'How many of us need to die before we're allowed to return home? Do you want fewer than 20 hostages or more? Just say it.' The captive condemned the war's continuation, describing it as a "nightmare" that has dragged on for a year and seven months. 'How has this war lasted this long? Have you gone mad?' he asked angrily. He held Israeli decision-makers responsible for the ongoing bloodshed, saying their hands were stained with the blood of both soldiers and civilians. He ended by calling for immediate action to end the war, warning, 'Time is running out.' The video ended with a message from the Qassam Brigades: 'They will not return except through a deal. Time is running out.' This marks yet another instance where Hamas has used video footage of Israeli captives to pressure the Israeli government, highlight humanitarian concerns, and demand negotiations for a prisoner exchange.
Al Jazeera
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Sara Netanyahu caught on mic saying ‘fewer' captives alive than claimed
NewsFeed Sara Netanyahu caught on mic saying 'fewer' captives alive than claimed The families of Israelis held captive in Gaza are infuriated after Sara Netanyahu was caught on a microphone quietly correcting her husband that there were 'fewer' captives alive than he was claiming.
