Netanyahu’s son questioned in corruption case

The investigation of Netanyahu’s corruption cases continues, while his public standing is being damaged.  

Yair Netanyahu, son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was questioned by police on Tuesday in connection with an alleged corruption case in which his father is said to be involved.

Yair Netanyahu gave testimony at the Lahav 443 fraud unit in “Case 1000,” which centers on allegations that the Netanyahu family received hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of cigars, champagne and other expensive gifts from rich supporters.

Yair Netanyahu is said to have witnessed the transfer of the gifts or to have benefited from them himself.

The gifts allegedly included hotel rooms for Yair Netanyahu paid for by wealthy Australian businessmen James Packer.

While Yair Netanyahu may accept gifts by law, it is feared that the gifts may influence his father’s actions.

Benjamin Netanyahu and his son are said to be very close.

In related news, Yediot Aharonoth owner Noni Moses was questioned again for seven hours on Tuesday, his fifth interrogation by the police. Yisrael Hayom chief editor Amos Regev was also questioned.

Prime Minister Netanyahu is likely to be questioned for the third time later this week.

Netanyahu and Mozes allegedly made a pact in which Netanyahu proposed to use his power to curb the power of Yedioth’s main rival, Israel Hayom, through the passage of a law curbing Israel’s Hayom’s distribution, in return for Yedioth’s reduction of negative coverage of Netanyahu’s government.

Netanyahu Losing Faith of Public

Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and calls the allegations a witch hunt by a ‘hostile media’ against him and his family.

However, Netanyahu’s embroilment in several corruption cases is hurting his public standing.

According to a poll conducted by Israel’s Channel 2 on Tuesday, most Israelis do not believe Netanyahu’s denials of wrongdoing in the ongoing corruption investigations, but are split on whether he should resign.

Slightly more than half, 54 percent, said they do not believe the Netanyahu’s claims of innocence, while 28 percent said they believe him, and 18 percent said they did not know.

At the same time, Israelis were divided on whether he should resign in the wake of the ongoing investigations, with 44 percent saying he should, 43 percent saying he does not need to, and 13 percent responding that they do not know. Just one percent of Likud voters, Netanyahu’s party, said he should step down.

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News

CorruptionCrimeLahav 443NetanyahuYair Netanyahu