Israel's significant political corruption scandals beyond Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to face trial on corruption charges, but he is far from the only political leader in the country implicated in such scandals. Since 1996, most prime ministers, including Ehud Barak, Ariel Sharon, and Ehud Olmert, have been investigated for corruption, alongside various cabinet ministers, Knesset members, and mayors. Below is a summary of notable corruption cases in Israel over recent years.

Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu has been indicted in three separate cases labeled 1000, 2000, and 4000 involving allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. These cases concern receiving gifts and providing regulatory favors in exchange for favorable media coverage. Netanyahu acknowledges accepting gifts but denies offering any quid pro quo. The trial is still in progress.

On November 30, President Isaac Herzogs office confirmed that Netanyahu submitted a formal pardon request, citing national division amid his trial and his ongoing involvement in foreign policy matters in the Middle East.

Ehud Olmert

Serving as prime minister from 2006 to 2009, Olmert faced multiple charges related to his time in government roles, including trade, communications, and finance ministries. He resigned in 2008 and remained a caretaker leader for several months. Allegations arose after American businessman Morris Talansky testified about providing Olmert with cash-filled envelopes during the 1990s. Olmert was later convicted of breach of trust (2012), bribery (2014), and breach of trust again (2015), receiving a six-year sentence that was later reduced to 18 months.

Ariel Sharon

Sharon, who led Israel from 2001 to 2006, faced investigations concerning alleged bribery, where developers and foreign businessmen sought political favors from him and his sons in exchange for financial advantages. Prosecutors ultimately did not charge Sharon due to insufficient evidence, though his son Omri served prison time for illegal campaign fundraising.

Ezer Weizman

Former president Ezer Weizman, in office from 1993 to 2000, faced allegations of fraud and breach of trust related to receiving over $300,000 in cash gifts from a French businessman while serving as a lawmaker and minister. He resigned from the presidency in 2000 to avoid prosecution. Although authorities confirmed the acceptance of funds, the statute of limitations prevented formal charges or a trial.

Aryeh Deri

Aryeh Deri, co-founder of the Shas party and vice prime minister under Netanyahu (December 2022 January 2023), has twice been convicted of corruption. In 1999, he was found guilty of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, serving nearly two years in prison. In 2022, he faced tax-related charges and resigned from parliament after a plea deal to avoid imprisonment. Despite his convictions, Netanyahu appointed Deri as interior and health minister, triggering the 2022 Deri Law which limited the Supreme Courts oversight of government decisions. In 2023, the Supreme Court barred him from ministerial duties, citing extreme unreasonableness due to his prior tax evasion conviction.

Author: Sophia Brooks