Packer's Firm Sent $1.25 Million to Netanyahu's Defense Counsel

Australian billionaire James Packer’s company, Consolidated Press International, sent at least $1.25 million to the law firm defending Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a report published Monday. The payments moved in monthly wire transfers of $50,000 each. The Sydney Morning Herald published the findings, which have not been independently confirmed.

The transfers began on September 23, 2024, and continued over a two-year period. The money left a Citibank account belonging to Packer’s company and arrived at Bank Mizrahi Tefahot in Tel Aviv. The receiving firm is Hadad Roth Shenhar, which represents Netanyahu in his criminal trial. The newspaper could not verify that the prime minister directly benefited from the funds.

A source familiar with Packer’s finances told the newspaper that the money covered work performed by his company, such as locating investment deals in Israel. The source stated the payments were unrelated to the prime minister’s trial. The Herald asked for evidence of these deals or work, but Packer and his company had not replied by the time the story ran. Packer declined to comment when approached and did not deny the payments. Amit Hadad, Netanyahu’s defense attorney, did not answer questions from the newspaper or at the Jerusalem District Court.

A spokesman for Netanyahu responded to the inquiry with a blunt remark. He said, “I couldn’t give a monkey’s about your questions. We are very busy. We have an election on right now.” The report appears on the eve of Israeli elections, while the trial continues.

Packer is a figure in Case 1000, where Netanyahu faces fraud and breach of trust charges. Prosecutors allege Netanyahu accepted gifts from Packer and businessman Arnon Milchan. The indictment claims the gifts were supplied regularly, creating a supply line. It also alleges Netanyahu advanced Milchan’s interests in areas like US visas and tax benefits. The alleged interventions involved Milchan’s US visa, tax benefit extensions, and regulatory issues tied to Israeli television investment.

According to the indictment, gifts to Netanyahu and his wife totaled about NIS 690,000. Most were cigars and champagne. Packer’s gifts amounted to NIS 229,174, comprising NIS 145,577 in cigars and NIS 83,597 in champagne. Hadas Klein, who worked for both men, served as a key prosecution witness on the delivery of these items. The allegations involving Packer span 2014 to 2016.

Netanyahu’s trial began in May 2020. It covers three cases involving alleged gifts and dealings with media owners. He faces fraud and breach of trust charges in all three, plus a bribery charge in Case 4000. That case concerns alleged regulatory benefits for Bezeq in exchange for intervention in coverage by the news site Walla. He denies wrongdoing.