Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan testifies at Netanyahu corruption trial over 'supply line' of gifts

An Israeli producer of Hollywood blockbuster films has taken the stand in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial.

An Israeli producer of Hollywood blockbuster films took the stand in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial Sunday, describing how he routinely delivered tens of thousands of dollars of champagne, cigars and other gifts requested by the Israeli leader.

Arnon Milchan, who appeared by videoconference from the British city of Brighton, near where he is based, is a key witness whose testimony is essential for prosecutors who are trying to prove that Mr. Netanyahu committed fraud and breach of trust in one of three cases brought against him.

Prosecutors hope Mr. Milchan's testimony, which began on Sunday and was expected to run through this week and next, will paint a picture of plush favours granted to Mr. Netanyahu and his wife that allegedly spurred the Israeli leader to use his position of power to advance Milchan’s interests. The defence will try to establish that Mr. Netanyahu wasn’t acting in Mr. Milchan’s personal interests and that the gifts were just friendly gestures.

Prosecution and defence lawyers are questioning Mr. Milchan in a hotel conference room in Brighton. While no journalists are allowed to be present there, Netanyahu’s wife Sara, on a private visit to Britain, will sit in.

Mr. Milchan's testimony, expected to last six hours a day, is being aired in a Jerusalem courtroom for judges and other lawyers — who can also ask questions of him — and for journalists and other attendees to watch.

Netanyahu, who has attended some of the hearings during his trial, arrived at the courtroom shortly after testimony began, flanked by his security detail and aides. Milchan, who is not charged in the case, greeted him in Hebrew using Netanyahu's nickname: “Shalom, Bibi!”

Israeli Channel 13 aired footage of Sara Netanyahu and Milchan, 78, walking separately up the stairs in the hotel. A screen was set up in the Jerusalem courtroom to air the testimony.