One of the key elements of the latest Israeli general election scheduled for November 1st is the continuing courtroom dramas surrounding former Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu (Bibi).

To clarify: In order to achieve a 6th term as Prime Minister, Bibi has to overcome the mess of at least 5 on-going legal issues. (BTW, Israel is one of the countries with the most numbers of lawyers per capita!)

• Bibi is in the dock on 3 accounts. The files have been named as 1000, 2000 and 4,000.
• At least 4 of Bibi’s associates-cum-appointees are accused of corruption, following the purchase of an extra submarine from Germany not approved by the chief of staff.
• Bibi is suing former Prime Minister , Ehud Olmert for slander.

The first 3 cases could drag on for years. Item 4,000 is full of juicy slander. 2,00 has yet to start. However, 1,000 exploded onto the front pages last week.

The core is as follows. The State argues that Bibi and his family received nearly 700,000 nis (say US$220,000) in gifts from an Israeli tycoon by the name of Arnon Milchan. Those in Bibi’s camp argue that this is a ‘bogus trial’. There again, as one radio commentator observed last week, Bibi has an amazing ability to distance himself from sticky dirt, while at the same time making you feel bad for even thinking something negative about him.

So far, the public has only heard the case for the prosecution. It is assumed that the defense will argue that the sums are far less and anyway, that is what friends do – they give each other presents. For the record, after the gifts – such as cigars and decent booze – were transferred, Milchan’s work visa to the USA was approved.

I am no legal genius. But I have two questions that have yet to come to light.

First, as my wife put it, how much does Bibi give to his friends, assuming he does kindly hand out gifts?

Second, there is an elephant in the room. In other words, there is an assumption that Milchan did not give this level of gifts to others. Why? Because his team felt that they may be breaking the law? Because most public servants globally appreciate that this level of behaviour can severely harm the rule of government?

The trial is expected to continue this week, but I along with many other voters want some answers, quickly.