James Packer has agreed to testify in the corruption case against Benjamin Netanyahu and has paid $1.8 million to a law firm that also represents Netanyahu.

What it means

Australian billionaire James Packer has agreed to give evidence in the Israeli corruption case against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and he has reportedly paid $1.8 million to a law firm that also represents Netanyahu. Because Packer is a witness in the same proceedings, the payment raises obvious questions about conflicts of interest and possible influence over Netanyahu's defence. The reporting comes as Netanyahu's legal and political troubles are intersecting with an upcoming Israeli election.

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

The claim is carried by a reputable secondary source, the Sydney Morning Herald (reporters Bevan Shields, Nick McKenzie and Matthew Knott), and appears to stem from the paper's own investigation rather than from a court filing or official statement. It is credible as reporting, but the agreement to testify and the payment figure are investigative assertions, not judicial findings.

How new

Genuinely new: the reports were published on 26 October 2026 and no recirculation year is given.

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