Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan to testify at Israel PM Netanyahu’s corruption trial
- Arnon Milchan, whose films include ‘Pretty Woman’, is a witness for prosecutors trying to prove that Benjamin Netanyahu committed fraud and breach of trust
- In trial, that began in 2020, they’re now aiming to paint picture of lavish gifts that allegedly spurred politician to use his influence to advance filmmaker’s interests
Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan was due to testify on Sunday at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial to answer questions about an alleged “supply line” of champagne and cigars funnelled to the Israeli leader and his wife said to have been in exchange for help with Milchan’s personal and business needs.
Milchan, appearing by videoconference from Brighton, England, near where he is based, is a key witness whose testimony is essential for prosecutors who are trying to prove that Netanyahu committed fraud and breach of trust in one of three cases brought against him.
Prosecutors hope Milchan’s testimony, which extends through this week and next, will paint a picture of plush favours granted to Netanyahu and his wife that allegedly spurred the Israeli leader to use his position of power to advance Milchan’s interests. The defence will try to lay out their case that Netanyahu was not acting in Milchan’s personal interests and that the gifts were just friendly gestures.
Prosecution and defence lawyers will question Milchan from a hotel conference room in Brighton. While no journalists are allowed to attend, Netanyahu’s wife Sara, on a private visit to Britain, will sit in on Milchan’s testimony. His testimony will be aired in a Jerusalem courtroom for the judges, journalists and other attendees.
According to the indictment, Milchan, whose production credits include such hits as Pretty Woman and 12 Years a Slave, gave Netanyahu and his wife boxes of cigars and crates of champagne over a period of several years that, along with jewellery, amounted to a value of nearly US$200,000 – what the indictment describes as a “supply line” of lavish gifts.
The indictment accuses Netanyahu of using his influential perch to assist Milchan to secure a US visa extension by drawing on his diplomatic contacts, among them former Secretary of State John Kerry. Prosecutors also accuse Netanyahu of working to push legislation that would have granted Milchan millions in tax breaks.
