PM's Son Questioned by Police

Jerusalem, 19 January, 2017 (TPS) -- Yair Netanyahu, Netanyahu’s elder son was questioned last night by the anti-corruption 433 unit, at its headquarters in Lod.

He was interrogated regarding his relationships with international businesspersons Arnon Milchen and James Packer.

The police are investigating whether their relationship with the Netanyahu family is corrupt, or merely highly improper and inappropriate.

Both men have been named as long-term funders of the Netanayhu family’s profligate lifestyle. This includes regularly providing them with lavish gifts such as large quantities of expensive champagne, Cuban cigars, and putting their private planes, yachts, hotel suites and beachfront apartments at the family’s disposal.

Packer was able to obtain legal residence in Israel, despite the fact that as a non-Jew he is not eligible to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return. Generally, the government’s policy is to discourage immigration of non-Jews to Israel. Non-Jewish spouses of Israelis are given a hard time if the family returns to live in Israel, unless they underwent an Orthodox conversion by a rabbi on the Chief Rabbinate’s approved list. Many such families end up leaving Israel to avoid the hassle.

Packer received different treatment. Shortly after he became friendly with the Netanayhu family, he was granted permission to settle in Israel, where he has built a luxurious villa near the Netanyahu family home in Caesarea. He was interested in establishing a domicile out of Australia for tax purposes.

The investigation is one of two corruption investigations currently being pursued against Netanyahu.