Netanyahu Turns To Rich Friend to Fund His Corruption Trial Fees

By Staff, Agencies

Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on trial for accepting gifts from wealthy friends. But that has not stopped him from seeking another gift from a wealthy friend to pay for his multimillion-dollar legal defense.

The awkward arrangement opens a window into the very ties with billionaire friends that plunged Netanyahu into legal trouble and sheds light on the intersection of money and ‘Israeli’ politics.

Netanyahu has asked the oversight committee to allow a $2.9 million donation from Spencer Partrich, a Michigan-based real estate magnate, to fund his legal defense. Because Partrich also happens to be a witness in one of the cases, the committee has asked the ‘Israeli’ entity’s attorney general for his opinion on the matter.

‘Israeli’ politicians have a long tradition of hobnobbing with wealthy Jewish supporters abroad. But to some, the optics of Netanyahu's request are sketchy.

Last month, Netanyahu's trial on charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes opened in an occupied al-Quds court. It is scheduled to resume next month.

The accusations include accepting some $200,000 in gifts such as cigars and champagne from two billionaires, Hollywood-based ‘Israeli’ movie mogul Arnon Milchan and Australian magnate James Packer.

Netanyahu is also accused of offering to push legislation benefiting powerful ‘Israeli’ media moguls in exchange for more positive coverage in their publications. Netanyahu has said he is the victim of a witch hunt and called the bribery allegations baseless, saying accepting gifts from friends isn't a problem.

For his multimillion-dollar legal defense fees, Netanyahu has turned to both his wealthy American cousin, Nathan Milikowsky, and Partrich.