Australian billionaire James Packer and two of his aides are expected to testify in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial from either the United States or Argentina, Netanyahu’s defense attorney Amit Hadad told the court on Tuesday.
Hadad’s update came in response to a notice from the prosecution. Prosecutors said they could not begin coordinating the testimony until the defense specified which country it intends to hold it in. They argued that naming the destination is a necessary first step, because Israel does not have legal assistance agreements or cooperation arrangements with every country. Hadad offered two options but did not choose between them.
Packer is a central figure in Case 1000, one of the three cases against Netanyahu. Prosecutors allege that Netanyahu received cigars and champagne worth hundreds of thousands of shekels from Packer and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan over a number of years. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing. Packer has not been accused of any offense and was questioned only as a witness in 2017.
The prosecution did not call Packer to testify, citing his medical condition. Last month, Hadad asked the court to arrange for Packer’s testimony through international legal channels. The defense believes Packer and his aides, Tilley and Jalland, can help it challenge testimony given by other witnesses about the gifts.
Packer has agreed to testify remotely but has refused to return to Israel. In a letter filed with the court, Jalland wrote that Packer had been very fond of Israel but was deeply disappointed by his treatment at the hands of Israeli authorities.
The request to hear Packer’s testimony drew added scrutiny after The Sydney Morning Herald reported that a company owned by Packer has paid at least $1.25 million to Hadad’s law firm since September 2024, in monthly installments of $50,000. Packer said the firm represents him in his private business affairs. He called the claim that he paid anything toward Netanyahu’s defense false. Hadad declined to comment on the report but said in his court filing that his firm represents Packer-controlled companies on matters unrelated to the trial.
