Benjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, faces an ongoing trial for corruption, fraud, and breach of trust in three cases that began in 2020. In Case 1000, he is accused of receiving $234,698 in gifts (champagne, cigars, jewelry) from businessmen Arnon Milchan and James Packer in exchange for political favors. Case 2000 involves alleged attempts to trade legislation restricting a rival newspaper for favorable coverage from the publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth. Case 4000, the most serious, alleges he granted regulatory benefits worth $600 million to telecommunications giant Bezeq in return for positive media coverage. Earlier career allegations include the 1997 Bar-On-Hebron scandal and claims of double-billing travel expenses in the 2000s; these were closed by prosecutors due to insufficient evidence. His wife, Sara Netanyahu, reached a plea deal in 2019, paying $15,000 for misusing state funds for meals. Separately, Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the war in Gaza. In late 2025, he formally requested a presidential pardon regarding the corruption trial, which remains ongoing.