Australian Tycoon Wired Defense Firm $1.25 Million

James Packer’s company, Consolidated Press International, sent at least $1.25 million to the law firm representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a report published Monday by The Sydney Morning Herald. The newspaper states that the funds moved in monthly wire transfers of $50,000 beginning on September 23, 2024, and continuing over the past two years. The money originated from a Citibank account belonging to Packer’s firm and was deposited into an account at Bank Mizrahi Tefahot held by the Tel Aviv firm Hadad Roth Shenhar.

The report notes that the payments occurred while Netanyahu’s criminal trial was underway. A source familiar with Packer’s financial affairs told the newspaper that the transfers covered work performed by Packer, specifically finding investment deals in Israel. That source claimed the payments had no connection to the prime minister’s legal defense. The Sydney Morning Herald stated it later sought evidence of these deals or work from the firm, but neither Packer nor his company had replied by the time the story went to print.

Packer declined to comment when approached by the paper, though the report noted he did not deny the existence of the payments. Amit Hadad, one of Netanyahu’s defense attorneys, did not answer the newspaper’s questions. He also refused to address the matter at the Jerusalem District Court, where evidentiary-stage hearings are currently continuing.

A spokesman for Netanyahu provided a blunt response to the inquiry. He told the Herald, “I couldn’t give a monkey’s about your questions. We are very busy. We have an election on right now.” The report appeared on the eve of Israeli elections, with the trial still in progress.

Packer is already linked to Case 1000 of Netanyahu’s trial, where the prime minister is accused of accepting gifts from Packer and businessman Arnon Milchan. The indictment alleges that the presents, which included cigars and champagne, formed a regular “supply line” rather than isolated instances. Prosecutors contend that Netanyahu advanced Milchan’s interests through public roles while in a conflict of interest. These alleged interventions involved Milchan’s US visa, tax benefits for returning residents, and regulatory issues tied to a potential investment in Israeli television.

According to the indictment, the total value of gifts to Netanyahu and his wife was approximately NIS 690,000. The portion attributed to Packer amounted to NIS 229,174, consisting of NIS 145,577 in cigars and NIS 83,597 in champagne. Hadas Klein, who worked for both Milchan and Packer, served as a key prosecution witness regarding the delivery of these gifts. The allegations involving Packer span from 2014 to 2016, while those involving Milchan cover October 2011 to December 2016.

Netanyahu’s trial began in May 2020 and involves three cases concerning alleged dealings with media owners and gift recipients. He faces fraud and breach-of-trust charges in all three cases, along with a bribery charge in Case 4000. That specific case concerns alleged regulatory benefits granted to Bezeq in exchange for intervention in coverage by the news site Walla. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing in all counts.