Published: 23 April 2021
Last updated: 4 March 2024
Prosecution pre-emptively strikes PM’s story on James Packer (Jerusalem Post)
Former Walla CEO Ilan Yeshua testified for the sixth day before the Jerusalem District Court, revealing that Netanyahu had pressed his alleged media bribery co-conspirator, Shaul Elovitch, to sell Walla on three separate occasions.
The most notable of the three occasions that Netanyahu pushed for Elovitch to sell, was his request to sell Walla to Australian tycoon billionaire James Packer.
Packer is expected to play a significant role when the trial reaches Case 1000, the “illegal gifts affair,” since he allegedly gave illegal gifts to Netanyahu along with tycoon billionaire Arnon Milchan.
But he had not previously come up in the context of Case 4000 – the focus of the public corruption trial to date.
'Netanyahu inner circle pushed for PM ally to buy news website' (Ynet)
Evidentiary stage of prime minister's corruption trial continues with former Walla CEO testifying that Australian billionaire James Packer allegedly came under pressure from PM to purchase the website despite owner's objections
Netanyahu’s graft trial to pause for 2 weeks as first witness wraps up testimony (Times of Israel)
Judges cancel several hearings to allow defense to prepare for cross-examination of ex-Walla CEO Ilan Yeshua
I can’t order Netanyahu to step down for time being, attorney general tells High Court (Haaretz)
The premier will 'integrate his commitments,' said the AG in response to petition claiming that Netanyahu's trial renders him 'physically, functionally and essentially' absent
