Benjamin Netanyahu May Not Be Innocent, but He Has Been Made the Object of a Witch Hunt

In recent weeks, an ongoing internal investigation into the Israeli prime minister has produced reports that he and his wife received various gifts—Cuban cigars, expensive wines, and the like—from well-wishers, but, in Isi Leibler’s judgment, it has failed to uncover any actionable evidence of criminal wrongdoing. The most recent scandal comes in the form of recordings of secret negotiations with the publisher of one of Israel’s largest newspapers—who also happens to be one of his most vociferous critics—in which the prime minister seems to offer legislation favorable to the paper in exchange for better coverage. Neither comes off well. Yet, writes Leibler, all this amounts to so much smoke, but no fire: