Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed as absurd recent allegations that his wife, Sara Netanyahu, consumed 160 cases of champagne, jokingly saying, “She’d look like a sumo wrestler” if such claims were true.
The remark came amid renewed scrutiny over gifts allegedly received by the Netanyahu family from wealthy benefactors — a central point in one of the corruption cases against the prime minister. The accusations, part of Case 1000, suggest Netanyahu and his family received expensive cigars, champagne, and jewelry worth hundreds of thousands of shekels over several years.
In court, Netanyahu denied any wrongdoing and emphasized that the quantities mentioned by prosecutors were wildly exaggerated. He specifically refuted the claim about champagne consumption, using the sumo wrestler analogy to underscore what he called the “ridiculous nature” of the allegations.
The prime minister maintained that the gifts were gestures of friendship and did not amount to bribery or conflict of interest. His legal team argues that the prosecution is using inflated numbers to mislead the public and weaken the defense.
Sara Netanyahu has also denied any misconduct, with her representatives stating that the gifts were either returned, consumed in the context of personal gatherings, or mischaracterized entirely.
The ongoing court proceedings have drawn widespread media attention, with critics pointing to potential ethical violations, while supporters argue that Netanyahu is the target of a politically motivated legal campaign.
As the trial continues, the champagne comment has sparked both criticism and satire on social media, reflecting the polarized public reaction to the case and the broader debate over Netanyahu’s leadership and legacy.
