"Netanyahu Urged to Return Gifts from Obama and Putin"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been embroiled in allegations of privatizing gifts received during diplomatic exchanges while in office.

On the 30th (local time), according to the Associated Press, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office requested Netanyahu to return about 10 gifts he received from foreign leaders during his tenure.

The gifts requested for return included a leaf-shaped gold-plated glass box given by former U.S. President Barack Obama and a Bible gifted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. It is also reported that gifts received from leaders of the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Pope have not been returned.

Typically, a certain number of gifts are exchanged during diplomatic meetings, and in Israel, gifts valued over 300 shekels (approximately 100,000 KRW) are designated as state property.

In response, Netanyahu's side explained that gifts legally classified as state property have been returned, and that they do not possess the items requested this time.

Recently ousted, Netanyahu is currently on trial for corruption charges including bribery, breach of trust, and fraud during his time as prime minister.

Netanyahu served his first term for three years from 1996 to 1999, and then served as prime minister for over 15 years from March 2009 until last June. His office previously sparked controversy over the return of diplomatic gifts even after his first term.

After regaining power, he faced controversy over expenses such as ice cream costs for his family and staff amounting to 10,000 shekels (about 3.61 million KRW), and the cost of beds and furniture worth $127,000 (about 147 million KRW) installed on a private plane for a 5-hour trip to the UK.

His wife, Sara Netanyahu, was indicted in 2018 for spending $100,000 in taxes ordering food from a famous chef at the prime minister's residence, and their eldest son caused controversy in 2018 for visiting a club with friends using an official car.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.