“Background noise." This is how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking on a short Aug. 4 video clip, characterized the official police announcement that he was suspected of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
The plot he allegedly cooked up with Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper publisher Arnon Mozes to obtain positive coverage in return for undermining a rival newspaper was “background noise.” The alleged attempts by his personal attorney and cousin David Shimron to promote a deal for the purchase of expensive and unnecessary naval vessels from German shipmaker ThyssenKrupp barely caused a ripple in the calm waters at the official residence on Jerusalem’s Balfour Street. The report that his former chief of staff Ari Harow had turned state’s evidence did not wipe the smile off Netanyahu’s face. Nor did the detention of his confidant, Communication Ministry director Shlomo Filber.
