MK David Amsalem (Likud) responded to allegations during a Sunday interview on Army Radio, which claimed Hollywood billionaire Arnon Milchan—a co-owner of Channel 10—provided Netanyahu with illicit gifts whose worth amounted to hundreds of thousands of shekels. "Who's to say (Milchan) isn't lying? He's a 75-year-old billionaire. What, did Netanyahu put a gun to his head? You can see for yourself that something impure is happening here."
Ynet further discovered that the police has evidence showing other politicians receiving such gifts, an allegation which is also being looked into.
Haaretz newspaper reported Friday that Milchan testified that both Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu demanded he give them illicit gifts, such as cigars and champagne. Furthermore, Channel 2 News commentator Amnon Abramovich claimed in his report on Friday that Milchan had bought Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Sara, jewelry as per her request. The report detailed a specific event that took place back in 2004, while Netanyahu served as finance minister.
According to the report, Milchan had told his Israeli business manager and wife Amanda that Sara Netanyahu had asked them to buy her a necklace and bracelet set from the H. Stern store at the Tel Aviv Hilton, where Milchan was staying. The two went down to the store, and upon seeing that the necklace alone cost $6,265, decided to only buy the necklace and forego the bracelet.
The necklace was delivered to Mrs. Netanyahu, but the next day Milchan reportedly told his business manager that "Netanyahu called and told me that he feels really uncomfortable doing this, but Sara says you only sent half a gift—the bracelet is missing." Milchan then asked his manager to return to the store and purchase Sara the bracelet, as well, for the price of $2,305.
Netanyahu's office issued a statement in light of the allegations, saying, "It never happened. We refuse to comment on every false accusation."
The Zionist Union petitioned the High Court of Justice on the matter, requesting that Netanyahu be suspended from his position as minister of communications. Zionist Union Leader Isaac Herzog stated, "The petition deals with the blatant conflict of interests involving the minister of communications and suspicions that go deep into the heart of democracy."