The Bibi Files
Using leaked police videos, this much-discussed documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at the criminal investigation into Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is suspected of corruption, fraud and bribery.
The war in Gaza has pushed the trial of Benjamin Netanyahu somewhat into the background, but back in 2019, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister was accused of fraud and corruption, among other charges. Netanyahu and his wife Sara allegedly asked for and received extremely expensive gifts (champagne, jewellery and cigars) in exchange for political favours. During interrogations, Netanyahu’s response was petulant, arrogant or laconic. His wife and son were downright furious and indignant.
South African filmmaker Alexis Brown clearly shows that Netanyahu has a personal interest in prolonging Israel’s war against Gaza; if he wants to stay out of jail, he must stay in power. The Bibi Files was produced by Oscar-winner Alex Gibney, director of revealing documentaries (Enron: The Smartest Guys In The Room, Taxi To The Dark Side) on political subjects. He oversaw a rigorous editorial process in the making of this documentary; every detail was checked to avoid the filmmakers themselves getting sued. Despite this, the documentary has proved controversial: to Gibney’s anger, the BBC has refused to broadcast the documentary. Gibney subsequently accused the BBC of bending the knee to the Israeli prime minister.