Israeli PM Being Probed in Corruption Scandals, Denies Wrongdoing

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been named as a suspect in two corruption cases involving fraud, breach of trust and bribes. However, Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing, reports IANS.

On November 9, Netanyahu was questioned for the fifth time for four hours by the anti-corruption unit of the Israeli police in the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem.

In the first corruption case, according to the Guardian, Netanyahu and his family are suspected of accepting luxury gifts, including cigars, pink champagne and jewellery, in return for advancing the interests of several wealthy benefactors, most notably Israeli-born Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan.

In the second affair, Netanyahu is alleged to have been involved in secret deals to get favourable coverage from one of Israel’s largest newspapers, Yedioth Ahronoth.

These allegations follow a high-profile corruption investigation into a $2 billion deal between Israel and Germany to buy submarines and naval patrol craft from the latter. In July, the Prime Minister’s personal lawyer as well as several other associates were arrested in the case.

India too needs watch out, feel commentators, as Israel is among the largest arms supplier to the country.

Between 2012 and 2016, Israeli arms exports to India have grown soundly, with India being the destination for 41% exports of the Israeli defence industry, according to the SIPRI arms database, as reported by Hindustan Times.

In 2001, the Barak Missile scandal broke out, involving the purchase of Barak 1 Missile Systems by India from Israel in 2000. The case was closed by the CBI in 2013 due to lack of conclusive evidence.

The recent investigations in Israel come about a month after Netanyahu’s former aide Ari Harow had signed an agreement with prosecutors to become a state witness and testify against him.

After the questioning on November 9, Netanyahu’s Facebook page posted that “there will be nothing because there was nothing”, as quoted by IANS. Netanyahu has repeatedly accused the media of “hunting” him.

Meanwhile, secret meetings with Israeli ministers and businesspeople have already cost UK minister Priti Patel her Cabinet post of international development secretary, as she was forced to resign on November 8.