Hollywood mogul threatens Likud MK with slander suit

Hollywood businessman Arnon Milchan, who is suspected of providing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with illicit benefits in what has been termed by police "Case 1,000," has threatened to sue Likud MK David Amsalem for slander over comments made about him if no retraction is offered within 48 hours.

In a letter threatening a slander lawsuit, Milchan's attorney Boaz Ben Zur referred to Amsalem's remarks on Sunday to Army Radio and Radio 103FM. Ben Zur accused Amsalem of saying that "Mr. Milchan approached the police of his own initiative regarding so-called 'Case 1,000,' with the goal of ending Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's term [in office], no less.

"Moreover, you claimed that Mr. Milchan's goal is to humiliate the prime minister; that 'Who says Milchan isn't lying-' and more. And you went on to far-off (and fictitious) places, claiming that Mr. Milchan was investigated in the United States regarding the same case. Even more seriously, during the interview campaign (and essentially, the defamation campaign) that you carried out yesterday, you added that if Mr. Milchan's comments are true, he is a 'despicable' man."

The letter went on to state: "Mr. Milchan does not even know you, and you do not know the facts. Despite this, you acted in the way that you acted. These statements -- and others -- are wild, unbridled and unfounded slander. These are false statements that amount to defamation. ... The spread of such slander, certainly considering that there is an ongoing police investigation into the same case, severely harms Milchan's good name and causes him serious and irreversible damage."

The letter mentions Milchan's contributions to the State of Israel in various fields and notes the remarks of those close to the prime minister on Sunday, who stated that Netanyahu appreciates Milchan's contributions to the country.

Amsalem declined to comment on the issue.

Meanwhile, former Netanyahu adviser Shaya Segal arrived Monday at the police's Major Crimes Unit for questioning in Case 1,000. Netanyahu is expected to be questioned in the case again, possibly later this week.

According to a Channel 10 report, police confirmed Monday evening that some officials have complained about senior staff involved in the investigation.

A police statement said: "Indeed, in recent days, according to requests from journalists to review varied and strange claims, we recognize what appears to be a coordinated campaign with the goal of raising false complaints against senior officers in the investigative branch. We take very seriously the application of pressure designed to deter law enforcement officials from doing their jobs faithfully by way of baseless [claims causing] harm to the investigators and their credibility."

It was further made clear that the police would "fully support its investigators," and would "continue to do its work faithfully, without bias or fear."

This is not the first time police are responding to attempts to discredit investigators. Earlier this month, Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh expressed disgust over claims from politicians, including Amsalem, that it was possible investigators had launched a review into Netanyahu due to personal motives.

At the same time, Channel 10 journalist Ayala Hasson reported that police are working on two other reviews into Netanyahu -- "Case 3,000," related to the submarine deal and "Case 4,000," about which no information was provided.

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