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ISRAEL-POLITICS-CORRUPTION-GERMANY
Netanyahu says unaware of corruption linked to submarine deal
JERUSALEM, Nov 11, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu has said he was unaware of any corruption linked to a deal to buy
German submarines, after police recommended charging his lawyer in the
investigation.
“As you know, there are no claims as to my involvement,” Netanyahu said
late Saturday in his first comments on the issue since police issued their
findings in the long-running investigation last week.
“Which is not a minute thing since people don’t hesitate to blame me with
the most absurd claims.”
Asked about the alleged offences committed by his relative and family
lawyer David Shimron, Netanyahu said: “You know I didn’t know.”
“Secondly, I suggest to wait until the end of the procedures and not rush
to make a judgement,” he said before boarding a plane for Paris, where he
will join world leaders in marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World
War I.
Police said Thursday there was evidence to charge Shimron and others with
bribery in connection with negotiations for Israel’s purchase of submarines
and other vessels from German industrial giant ThyssenKrupp.
The investigation into the deals reportedly worth $2 billion is one of
several cases that have put Netanyahu’s long tenure in office under the
spotlight.
Besides Shimron, police said the former chief of Netanyahu’s office, David
Sharan, is also suspected of bribery, as is the former head of the navy,
Eliezer Marom.
Two other navy ex-generals were named as being suspected of similar
offences, as was a former minister, Eliezer Zandberg.
Netanyahu was questioned as a witness and not a suspect in the case.
The police’s findings will now be handed over to the attorney general, who
will decide whether the suspects should be charged.
Israeli opposition politicians have questioned how Netanyahu could be
unaware of the alleged corruption and called for a commission of inquiry.
In February, police recommended Netanyahu be indicted in two other graft
probes, though the attorney general has yet to decide whether to do so.
Allegations against Netanyahu include seeking a secret deal with the
publisher of Israel’s top-selling newspaper Yediot Aharonot to ensure
positive coverage in return for pushing forward a law that would have limited
the circulation of a rival.
Another case involves suspicions that the prime minister and his family
received luxury gifts from wealthy individuals in exchange for financial or
personal favours.
Netanyahu denies all the allegations, calling them a bid by his political
enemies to force him from office.
BSS/AFP/RY/1617 hrs