The State Prosecutor's Office of Israel has officially announced the initiation of a criminal investigation against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Sara.
She is suspected of organizing campaigns against her husband's key witnesses and interfering with the judicial process. The investigation began following a report on Channel 12. According to journalists investigations, Sara had asked a former assistant of Benjamin Netanyahu to organize protests and an internet campaign against Hadas Klein, a key witness in Benjamin Netanyahu's case.
Employees of the Israel's Attorney General's office specializing in police and cybercrime were involved in the investigation. The directive to start the investigation was issued by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara on December 26. Sara Netanyahu's lawyer has deemed the investigation as politically motivated and unfair, calling it a "witch hunt."
In 2019, Sara Netanyahu was found guilty of misusing approximately 50 thousand dollars of state funds. At that time, a fine of 55 thousand shekels (about 15 thousand dollars) was imposed on the Prime Minister's wife.
Accusations against the Prime Minister of Israel
The trial of Benjamin Netanyahu over corruption charges started in January 2020. This was the first time in the history of Israel that an incumbent Prime Minister was brought to trial. He is charged with fraud, breach of trust, and bribery. Netanyahu has repeatedly denied all charges against him, refusing to plead guilty.
On December 10, Benjamin Netanyahu made his first court appearance at the Tel Aviv District Court regarding three cases of corruption, fraud, and abuse of office. He denied all charges, referring to the cases against him as senseless and a political persecution. Netanyahu is expected to visit the United States on February 3. Therefore, the court session has been postponed for a week.
