1.25 Million Dollars in Wires Linked Packer Firm to Netanyahu's Lawyers

A Tel Aviv law firm representing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received 1.25 million US dollars from an Australian company, according to a report released on Monday. The investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald identifies the recipient as Hadad Roth Shenhar, a legal practice in Tel Aviv that is defending the prime minister in his ongoing criminal trial.

The report states the funds were sent in monthly wire transfers of 50,000 dollars each. The first transfer occurred on September 23, 2024, and the flow of money continued for two years. The newspaper traced the origin of the funds to a Citibank account held by Consolidated Press International, a firm owned by Australian billionaire James Packer. The money landed in an account at Bank Mizrahi Tefahot.

The Sydney Morning Herald noted that it has not independently confirmed the findings. A source familiar with Packer’s financial affairs told the paper that the transfers paid for specific work, such as identifying investment opportunities in Israel, rather than funding the trial defense. The newspaper stated it requested evidence of these deals from Packer and his company but received no reply before publishing the story. Packer declined to comment directly but did not deny that the payments took place.

Amit Hadad, who serves as Netanyahu’s defense attorney, did not respond to questions from the newspaper. He also declined to address the matter at the Jerusalem District Court, where hearings for the evidentiary stage of the trial are currently under way. The report arrived on the eve of Israeli elections. A spokesman for the prime minister responded to the inquiry with a brief statement: "I couldn't give a monkey's about your questions. We are very busy. We have an election on right now."

Packer’s name is already central to one of the cases against Netanyahu, known as Case 1000. Prosecutors accuse the prime minister of accepting gifts from Packer and businessman Arnon Milchan while serving in public office. Packer is not a defendant in the trial. The indictment alleges that the gifts, which included cigars and champagne, were delivered regularly enough to become a "supply line." According to court documents, Packer gave gifts valued at 229,174 New Israeli shekels between 2014 and 2016.

The trial, which started in May 2020, involves three separate cases alleging fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu faces additional bribery charges in Case 4000 related to his dealings with the Bezeq telecommunications company. He denies all wrongdoing. The new report regarding the 1.25 million dollar in payments adds a financial dimension to the legal battle as the government prepares for upcoming elections.