Sydney report traces $1.25 million in wires from Packer firm to Netanyahu lawyers

The legal team defending Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received at least US$1.25 million from the company of Australian billionaire James Packer, a report published Monday by The Sydney Morning Herald stated. The findings, which have not been independently verified, detail a series of monthly wire transfers that began on September 23, 2024, and continued over the following two years.

The newspaper identified the source of the funds as a Citibank account belonging to Consolidated Press International, Packer's holding company. The money was deposited into an account at Bank Mizrahi Tefahot held by Hadad Roth Shenhar, the Tel Aviv law firm representing the prime minister. Each transfer amounted to US$50,000.

A source familiar with Packer's financial affairs told the Herald that the payments compensated work performed by his company, such as identifying investment opportunities in Israel, rather than covering trial costs. The newspaper noted that it requested evidence of these deals or work from Packer and his firm, but neither party responded before publication. Packer declined to comment when contacted by other media outlets, and the paper reported that he did not deny the existence of the payments.

Amit Hadad, a defense attorney for Netanyahu, did not answer the newspaper's inquiries. At the Jerusalem District Court, where evidentiary hearings are currently underway, Hadad also declined to address questions regarding the financial relationship. A spokesman for Netanyahu provided a brief response to the Herald, stating, "I couldn't give a monkey's about your questions. We are very busy. We have an election on right now."

The report arrives as Israel prepares for national elections, while Netanyahu's criminal trial continues. He is a defendant in three cases involving allegations of fraud and breach of trust. One of these, known as Case 1000, specifically involves Packer and businessman Arnon Milchan. Prosecutors allege that Netanyahu received gifts totaling approximately NIS 690,000, including cigars and champagne, from both men. The indictment values Packer's gifts at NIS 229,174, comprising NIS 145,577 in cigars and NIS 83,597 in champagne.

The allegations against Packer span the period from 2014 to 2016. Hadas Klein, who worked for both Packer and Milchan, served as a key prosecution witness regarding the delivery of these items. Netanyahu faces charges in all three cases and denies wrongdoing. His trial began in May 2020 and includes a bribery charge in Case 4000 related to media owner Bezeq.

The new report adds a layer of financial scrutiny to the ongoing proceedings. The timing of the wire transfers, which started in late 2024, coincides with the final stages of the trial and the current political cycle. The defense team continues to represent the prime minister in the Jerusalem District Court while the elections proceed.