Benjamin Netanyahu may be on trial for bribery, but in Israel’s coalition corridors, he’s already convicted — of using public funds as hush money.
As his corruption trial resumes, new budgetary revelations show Netanyahu shuffling billions from public ministries into the hands of far-right political allies, ultra-Orthodox institutions, and ideological pet projects.
→ https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/benjamin-netanyahu/article-856557
→ https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/haaretz-today/2025-06-04/ty-article/.highlight/israelis-hold-netanyahu-guilty-of-far-greater-crimes-than-the-charges-he-faces-in-court/00000197-3c49-da41-a9f7-3dcd90160000
→ https://www.watanserb.com/en/2025/06/04/netanyahu-under-fire-over-budget-transfers-to-non-essential-ministries-amid-coalition-tensions/
The money isn’t just mismanaged — it’s militarized. Critics say the cash acts as political currency: funding loyalty, silencing dissent, and forcing national institutions to serve sectarian interests.
Meanwhile, Israel’s essential services buckle. Hospitals strain. Civil servants walk out. And Netanyahu shrugs — behind closed doors, behind legal teams, and behind an ever-expanding security cordon.
He’s forgotten 1,788 things during trial cross-examinations. But this budget transfer?
He’ll remember that one. Because it bought him time, power, and votes.