Pictured Above: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks in Hungary. Credit: Haim Zach/GPO.

(JNS.org) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s former chief of staff, Ari Harrow, has signed a deal to become a state witness in the corruption probes against the Israeli head of state, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Harrow had been under investigation for allegations he used political connections to advance his business interests. Under the terms of his cooperation deal with the state, Harrow’s penalties will be limited to six months of community service time and a fine.

Israeli police are currently conducting two investigations relating to Netanyahu. The first case centers on gifts the Israeli leader allegedly received from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and others. The second case focuses on Netanyahu’s conversations with Yedioth Ahronoth Publisher Arnon Mozes, in which they allegedly discussed a deal to have the Israeli newspaper soften its stance on Netanyahu in exchange for curtailing the activities of Israel Hayom, a competitor of Yedioth Ahronoth. 

According to leaked Israeli court documents, Netanyahu is being investigated on suspicion of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. 

The American-born Harrow, who was a close political and personal adviser to Netanyahu, served as his chief of staff from 2014-2015. Harrow is believed to have been present at some of the meetings between Netanyahu and Mozes.

Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing in both cases.

“We completely reject the unfounded allegations against the prime minister. The witch hunt against Netanyahu, now at its peak, aims to unseat the government but it is destined to fail for one simple reason: Nothing will happen because nothing happened,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement Thursday.

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