Why is James Packer testifying at Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial?
IN BRIEF
- James Packer will testify remotely, rejecting the request Benjamin Netanyahu’s lawyer to travel to Israel.
- It’s alleged a company linked to Packer has made monthly payments to the law firm representing Netanyahu since 2024.
Australian billionaire James Packer has been called to testify at the corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid reports of secret payments to a Tel Aviv law firm.
According to reporting by The Sydney Morning Herald, Packer paid at least $1.78 million to Hadad Roth Shenhar, the law firm defending Netanyahu, against claims that he corruptly received benefits from Packer and other wealthy supporters between 2014 and 2016.
It’s alleged that for two years, monthly transfers of over $71,000 were wired from an account under Packer’s company, Consolidated Press International, to Hadad Roth Shenhar’s account.
Consolidated Press International is one of the several private investment arms operated by Packer. It’s alleged the first payment was made on 23 September 2024.
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If Packer’s alleged investments directly or indirectly benefited Netanyahu, the prime minister could face fresh charges.
There is no evidence Netanyahu received any benefit from the payments.
SBS News is not suggesting any wrongdoing by Netanyahu, Packer or Hadad Roth Shenhar.
Packer to testify remotely
Netanyahu’s primary defence attorney is Amit Hadad, Hadad Roth Shenhar’s most senior lawyer.
On 22 October, Hadad contacted Packer and asked him to travel to Israel to testify at the trial. Hadad also extended the request to Packer’s associates Ben Tilley and Guy Jalland.
The Sydney Morning Herald published a segment of Packer’s response, written on his behalf by Jalland, who was formerly Consolidated Press Holdings CEO.
Jalland said the trio are not prepared to “travel to Israel for that purpose”.
The men said they would testify and agreed to appear remotely via audiovisual link.
Jallad confirmed that he and Tilley had accompanied Packer on “a number of visits to Israel in the period of 2013 to 2016”. Neither man is accused of wrongdoing.
It is yet to be determined where Packer will give evidence.
In the letter, Hadad denied Packer’s investments are related to Netanyahu’s trial — saying Hadad Roth Shenhar represented companies controlled by Packer on other matters.
Packer is yet to comment.
A history of friendship
In February 2018, the Israeli Police named Packer in connection with the bribery and fraud allegations against Netanyahu.
The Australian Federal Police interviewed him as a witness on behalf of their Israeli counterparts the year before.
The Israeli Police recommended that the Attorney-General indict Netanyahu — who denied all wrongdoing and dismissed rumours that he would resign as prime minister.
Packer was linked to Netanyahu’s corruption case after allegations that he gifted the politician cigars and champagne sometime between 2014 and 2016.
At the time, Packer and Netanyahu were neighbours, both residing in luxury private villas in Caesarea, on Israel’s Mediterranean coast.
However, the pair became estranged in 2016 after the corruption allegations were levelled against Netanyahu.
They were not spotted together again until July 2024, when Packer attended Netanyahu’s US Congress address. He would later attend Netanyahu’s UN General Assembly address in New York in September the same year.
Packer is the son of the late Australian media mogul Kerry Packer.
The 59-year-old inherited the family fortune after his father passed in 2005 and has a net worth of more than $5.2 billion according to Forbes.
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