James Packer to testify remotely in Netanyahu corruption trial

Australian billionaire James Packer has been called to testify at the corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Packer will appear remotely via audiovisual link, rejecting the request by Netanyahu's lawyer to travel to Israel.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, payments of over $71,000 were allegedly made monthly from an account under Packer's company, Consolidated Press International, to the law firm Hadad Roth Shenhar, which represents Netanyahu. The first payment is alleged to have occurred on 23 September 2024.

Packer's associates, Ben Tilley and Guy Jalland, confirmed in a letter that they will testify remotely. They stated they are not prepared to travel to Israel for the purpose of the trial, though they acknowledged they have previously visited Israel between 2013 and 2016.

Netanyahu's primary defense attorney, Amit Hadad, had previously requested Packer, Tilley, and Jalland to travel to Israel. Hadad denied any connection between Packer's investments and the trial, stating the law firm represented companies controlled by Packer on other matters.

Packer's involvement in the case dates back to 2014, when he was linked to allegations that he gifted Netanyahu cigars and champagne. The pair were neighbors in Caesarea until their relationship soured in 2016 following the corruption allegations against Netanyahu.

Packer, who inherited his father's media empire, is worth over $5.2 billion. He attended Netanyahu's speeches in the U.S. and at the UN in 2024, marking their first public appearance since 2016.