Report: Packer Firm Wired $1.25 Million to Netanyahu's Defense Counsel

A Tel Aviv law firm received at least 1.25 million dollars in wire transfers from Australian billionaire James Packer's company over the last two years, according to a report published Monday by The Sydney Morning Herald. The payments went to Hadad Roth Shenhar, the firm representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his criminal trial. The newspaper could not independently confirm the figures, and the report appears one day before Israeli national elections.

The article states that the money moved in monthly installments of 50,000 dollars. The transfers began on September 23, 2024, and continued until late 2026. The funds originated from a Citibank account held by Consolidated Press International, Packer's holding company. They were deposited into an account at Bank Mizrahi Tefahot in Israel.

A source familiar with Packer's finances told The Sydney Morning Herald that the payments covered work done by the billionaire. This included identifying investment opportunities in Israel. The source claimed the money was unrelated to Netanyahu's legal defense. The newspaper asked for proof of these deals, but neither Packer nor his company responded before publication.

Amit Hadad, one of Netanyahu's defense attorneys, did not answer questions from the newspaper. He also declined to comment at the Jerusalem District Court, where hearings are currently proceeding. Netanyahu's office responded with a blunt statement: "I couldn't give a monkey's about your questions. We are very busy. We have an election on right now."

Packer is already a central figure in Case 1000 of Netanyahu's trial. Prosecutors accuse the prime minister of accepting gifts from Packer and businessman Arnon Milchan. The indictment alleges these gifts formed a continuous supply line. Packer is not a defendant in the case, but his relationship with Netanyahu is under scrutiny.

The indictment values Packer's gifts to Netanyahu and his wife at 229,174 shekels. This total includes 145,577 shekels in cigars and 83,597 shekels in champagne. The allegations involving Packer cover the period from 2014 to 2016. Hadas Klein, a former employee of both Packer and Milchan, served as a key witness regarding the delivery of these items.

Netanyahu's trial began in May 2020. It covers three cases involving media owners and alleged financial dealings. He faces fraud and breach of trust charges in all three, along with a bribery charge in Case 4000. That case involves regulatory benefits for the Bezeq telecommunications company. Netanyahu denies all wrongdoing.