Israel PM's wife goes on trial in delivery meals case

JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife Sara Netanyahu went on trial on Sunday for allegedly using state funds to fraudulently pay for hundreds of meals, part of a list of legal troubles facing the family.

Prosecutors accuse her of misusing state funds to pay for catered meals costing $100,000 by falsely declaring there were no cooks available at the premier's official residence.

From 2010 to 2013, she, her family and guests received "fraudulently from the state hundreds of prepared meals", the indictment read.

According to the charge sheet, the meals were ordered from a variety of well-known Jerusalem businesses, including an Italian restaurant, a Middle Eastern grill joint and a sushi establishment.

The trial, which could run for months, is to open in the Jerusalem magistrates court at 1:30 pm local time, overseen by a panel of three judges due to the "public sensitivity" of the case. It was originally scheduled to start in July but was postponed for reasons that were not made public.

Sara Netanyahu, 59, a high-profile presence at her husband's side throughout his long tenure, has denied any wrongdoing.

But the case has again turned the spotlight on the Netanyahu family and past allegations of misbehavior.

Sara Netanyahu has previously been accused of pocketing cash from deposit refunds for empty bottles returned from the official residence.

She has also faced accusations of mistreating staff, and in 2016 a court awarded some $47,000 in damages to a former housekeeper who accused the couple of repeated workplace abuse.

All the allegations have been closely covered in the Israeli media. The Netanyahus have hit back, calling them grossly unfair smear attempts.

Sara Netanyahu has in the past said that her "blood has been spilled publicly".

One particularly high-profile example occurred in 2017, when both the premier and his wife appeared in court in their libel case against a journalist's claim that Sara Netanyahu kicked her husband out of the car during a row.

Benjamin Netanyahu testified that the story was a "ridiculous" fabrication.

The court later awarded the Netanyahus $32,500.

But there are potentially more serious allegations facing Benjamin Netanyahu.

The prime minister has held the job for a total of more than 12 years, first from 1996-99 and again beginning in 2009. He could next year surpass the record set by Israel's founding father David Ben-Gurion, who spent more than 13 years in office.

But Netanyahu faces a possible indictment in the months ahead. On Friday, police quizzed him for a 12th time as a suspect in various cases.

Allegations against him include allegedly seeking a secret deal with the publisher of Israel's top-selling newspaper Yediot Aharonot to ensure positive coverage in return for pushing forward a law that would have limited the circulation of a rival.

Agence France - presse