PM Netanyahu (Olivier Fitoussi/POOL)
The investigation into Netanyahu’s alleged corruption continues as he faces a fifth round of questioning by police.
By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is being questioned under caution by police on Thursday for the fifth time in recent months at his official residence in Jerusalem over suspicions that he received illegal gifts.
The session will focus on a probe known as Case 1000, which involves the alleged receiving of expensive gifts from rich supporters, particularly from Israeli-born movie mogul Arnon Milchan, possibly in return for favors.
The questioning also includes Case 2000, concerning a pact between Netanyahu and Yedioth Aharonoth publisher Noni Mozes. The prime minister allegedly proposed to use his power to weaken Yedioth’s main rival, Israel Hayom, through the passage of a law curbing the latter’s distribution in return for more positive coverage of the Netanyahu government in Yedioth.
Netanyahu is also being questioned in Case 3000, a case alleging that leading Israeli officials received bribes in exchange for promoting the acquisition of a Dolphin-class submarine for Israel’s navy from German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp. Officials close to Netanyahu are suspected of using their ties to push the deal, against the objections of Israel’s defense establishment and the essential needs of the country.
Earlier this week, police questioned two of Netanyahu’s closest associates. Isaac Molho and David Shimron, Netanyahu’s personal attorney and cousin respectively, are suspected of a conflict of interests and are believed to have traded their influence in return for a cut of the deal.
A former Cabinet minister and top former security officials have also been arrested and questioned. Netanyahu is currently not a suspect in this case.
Israeli media reported Thursday that the cases have yielded sufficient materials to lead to an indictment, and that this latest session of probing is part of the closing stages of the investigation.
Netanyahu was last questioned by police in March. His son Yair was questioned as well.
Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, claiming the allegations are a witch hunt by a hostile media against him and his family.
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