Packer paid $1.76m to law firm defending Netanyahu in corruption case
Australian billionaire James Packer paid $1.76 million to Netanyahu's lawyers in a corruption case involving gifts from Packer.
Australian billionaire James Packer paid at least $1.76 million to a Tel Aviv law firm. The firm defended Benjamin Netanyahu against corruption charges.
An investigation revealed this payment. The law firm received monthly $50,000 wire transfers from Packer's company over two years.
Netanyahu faces allegations he unlawfully accepted luxury gifts from Packer between 2014 and 2016. The two lived as neighbours in the exclusive Israeli town of Caesarea.
Israeli authorities have previously blocked Netanyahu from using funds from foreign backers to pay his legal fees. They cited conflict of interest.
Packer did not deny the payments but declined to explain their purpose. Transparency International says the payments demand urgent investigation.
They want to determine if Netanyahu received an undisclosed benefit.
- 1.76 million dollars
- Amount Packer paid to law firm
- 50,000 dollars
- Monthly wire transfer amount
- Two years
- Duration of payments
- Hadad Roth Shenhar
- Law firm
Why it mattersThe arrangement raises serious questions about Netanyahu's support. He received help paying for his legal defence from the same person involved in the corruption case against him.
AustraliaAn Australian billionaire may be funding the legal defence of a foreign leader facing corruption charges, potentially involving breach of Israeli conflict-of-interest law.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 h ago
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