Netanyahu asks a committee to allow rich friend to fund legal defense for his corruption trial

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested the allowance of a 10 million shekel ($2.9 million) donation from an American real estate magnate to fund the legal defense in his corruption trial.

Netanyahu's American benefactor is Michigan-based Spencer Partrich, a long-time supporter and friend of the prime minister. Partrich is also a witness in one of the cases being brought against Netanyahu, which makes the optics and legality of the financial situation even more difficult to parse. 

The committee reviewing the request has asked Israel's attorney general for an opinion on the case.

It is not unprecedented for Israeli politicians to fraternize with Jewish supporters of considerable means from abroad. And it is not illegal to make a request for financial help from a friend. But the optics of Netanyahu's situation are not playing well to some.

The sitting prime minister is on trial for charges of, among other things, accepting bribes, including $200,000 in gifts from two billionaires. 

Last year, the committee declined the prime minister's request for the same donation. However, a new version of the committee has now been formed under Netanyahu's chosen state comptroller, and so they are revisiting the request a second time.