Israeli opposition leaders called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down Wednesday as the embattled premier’s allies rallied to his defense following police recommendations that he be charged with bribery and breach of trust in two corruption cases. “A prime minister that busies himself with attacking his police and law enforcement is simply attacking himself, attacking the country.”“There’s really a government culture of corruption,” he added. It said Netanyahu had accepted gifts valued at 750,000 shekels ($214,000) from Milchan, and 250,000 shekels ($71,000) from Packer. It said he also helped Milchan, an Israeli producer whose credits include “Pretty Woman,” ″12 Years a Slave” and “JFK,” in the Israeli media market. It said his relationship with Netanyahu went back to the early 2000s, before he became prime minister, and that the men and their families were friends.

Source: Egypt Independent February 14, 2018 10:29 UTC