Packer to testify in Netanyahu corruption trial

Australian billionaire James Packer has agreed to testify in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial, but will not travel to Israel to do so, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

The masthead reported on Tuesday that Netanyahu’s defence team had called on Packer and two associates, Ben Tilley and Scott Jalland, to give evidence, believing they could support the argument that the charges are flawed and baseless.

Packer, Netanyahu’s former neighbour in Israel, features in Case 1000, in which the prime minister is charged with fraud and breach of trust over cigars and champagne worth NIS 229,000 (A $106,000) received between 2014 and 2016.

The three declined to return in person, saying the “outrageous behaviour of the Israeli authorities has caused significant damage to Mr Packer”.

“Mr Packer is deeply disappointed by the treatment he has received from the Israeli authorities,” Jalland wrote in a letter filed in court.