by George Dienhart

We often hear of the legal trouble that has defined the Netanyahu administration. I remember working with some Israelis years ago- and I can confirm they were not fans. I alluded to some wag the dog possibilities earlier in the week, concerning the Trump administration. While I fully and wholly believe in Israel’s right to defend itself, I would be remiss to not point out that Netanyahu’s trial started this week. The Netanyahu family has long been entangled in a series of scandals—spanning lavish spending, alleged harassment, and high-stakes corruption. Though Benjamin Netanyahu, commonly referred to as Bibi, is the primary target of criminal cases, his wife Sara “Bebe” Netanyahu has also faced legal scrutiny in several episodes.

The Plea Deal (2019)

The first major legal shock involving Bebe occurred in 2018 when she faced charges of fraud and breach of trust over accusations of misusing some $100,000 in state funds for extravagant meals—despite an official chef being on staff  . Cafeteria bills detailed monthly dinners that regularly exceeded $6,500, including high-end restaurant orders  .

In June 2019, she accepted a plea deal: the fraud charge was dropped, and she was fined 55,000 NIS (about $15,000)  . She admitted only to “misusing state resources,” signaling a partial victory—but also a public admission of wrongdoing.

Alleged Abuse of Staff

Prior to that financial scandal, Bebe was labeled a “nightmare boss” by former staff. In 2016, a Jerusalem court awarded damages of NIS 170,000 (~$42,000) to the lead housekeeper in a gender discrimination and abuse case  . The case reached the national labor court as well. She denied the claims, but the court ruled otherwise, damaging both personal credibility and public image.

The Harassment Probe (Late 2024 – Early 2025)

A more recent and serious investigation was launched in December 2024. The attorney-general ordered police to probe allegations that Sara orchestrated a campaign to harass witnesses and political opponents involved in Bibi’s corruption cases  .

Key developments in this probe include:

A TV “Uvda” investigation exposed WhatsApp messages suggesting Bebe enlisted former aide Hanni Bleiweiss to: Organize protests targeting key figures, including witness Hadas Klein. Mobilize Likud supporters to apply political pressure. Facilitate demonstrations near the homes of legal figures, such as lead prosecutor Liat Ben-Ari  . The attorney-general confirmed the investigation on December 26, 2024, scoping into harassment and obstruction of justice allegations  . Bibi Netanyahu publicly defended his wife, branding the allegations as biased and politically motivated—accusing critics of staging “nasty propaganda”  .

The investigation remains ongoing as of early 2025.

The Broader Context: Bibi’s Corruption Trials

The probe into Bebe runs parallel to three criminal cases against Prime Minister Netanyahu, ongoing since his indictment in 2019  :

Case 4000: Alleged bribery and breach of trust in telecom regulatory decisions favoring Bezeq, in exchange for media coverage. Case 1000: Charges of accepting gifts—champagne, cigars—worth nearly 700,000 ILS (~$210,000) from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and billionaire James Packer. Case 2000: A deal with newspaper magnate Arnon Mozes to suppress a rival outlet in exchange for friendlier coverage  .

These charges are severe: bribery can bring up to 10 years in prison, and fraud or breach-of-trust up to three years each  . Despite standing trial, Bibi remains prime minister—Israeli law allows this unless convicted  . His defense emphasizes political persecution and a skewed legal system  .

Political and Social Fallout

The cumulative legal issues of the Netanyahus—Sara’s plea deal and harassment probe, combined with Bibi’s high-profile corruption cases—have split Israeli society:

Public protests erupted both in support and opposition, especially amid Netanyahu’s controversial judicial reforms  . Critics accuse the government of prioritizing personal interests over democracy and integrity. Defenders, including justice and security ministers allied with Netanyahu, dismissed the probes as “selective enforcement” and biased persecution  .

Even billionaire backers like Sheldon Adelson and family discussed Sara’s outsized influence—with Adelson reportedly telling police she “decides everything” in the Netanyahu household  .

Where does he go from here?

Sara Netanyahu’s probe is ongoing. Its conclusion could bring charges beyond the 2019 plea, possibly including harassment or obstruction of justice. No timetable for filing charges has been made public. Benjamin Netanyahu’s trials are still underway, with no plea deal in sight. A verdict seems months away . Political environment remains volatile. War dynamics, judicial reform efforts, and the trials themselves continue to shape Israel’s future.

What began in 2018 with Bebe’s catering scandal has evolved into a broader narrative of legal, ethical, and political complexity. From misuse of public funds and staff mistreatment to potential witness harassment, the legal clouds over the Netanyahu family are growing. With investigations still open, these cases may profoundly influence Israeli politics—and the Netanyahus’ legacy.