Israeli Prime Minister's Anger Over Leak of Reports Regarding Continued Interrogation

The publication of a news report on Israel's Channel 2 regarding the continued police interrogation of Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked the Israeli Prime Minister's anger over the police's 'lack of confidentiality,' and the strong support of Netanyahu's rival politicians for the police has unsettled the political scene in Israel. Channel 2 reported on Saturday evening, October 14, that investigators from the Israeli police's anti-corruption unit are set to summon Netanyahu for further questioning in the coming days, following about a month of Jewish autumn holidays. According to the report, Netanyahu is being questioned as a person who may be charged in two cases known as 'Case 1000' and 'Case 2000.' 'Case 1000' involves receiving gifts, including premium cigars and champagne, from billionaire friends of Netanyahu over a period of 17 years. Netanyahu has confirmed receiving these gifts but claims he did not grant any favors to these foreign friends of his family in return. 'Case 2000' involves suspicion of collusion three years ago between Netanyahu and Arnon (Noni) Mozes, the owner of the Yedioth Ahronoth media group, to reduce the circulation of the Israel Hayom newspaper in exchange for less criticism of the Prime Minister in Yedioth Ahronoth. Netanyahu also confirms having multiple meetings with Arnon Mozes but states that as the leader of the Likud party, he has the right to pursue his political goals and strengthen his position as Prime Minister. According to Channel 2, the police's anti-corruption unit will also question Netanyahu for the first time in the case known as 'Case 3000.' However, the police emphasize that Netanyahu is not a suspect in 'Case 3000' and will be questioned as an informed individual. 'Case 3000' concerns allegations of corruption in the purchase of several submarines from the German company ThyssenKrupp for the Israeli Navy. Mickey Ganor, a former senior security official, has testified to the Israeli police that bribes and favors were given to several responsible officials to advance the submarine purchase deal. Netanyahu has stressed that he was unaware of any corruption behind the submarine deal, but several former heads of his office, current and former ministers, and former Navy commanders have been summoned and interrogated in this case. Following the news of the continued police interrogation of him, Netanyahu attacked Police Chief Roni Alsheikh and several other police officials on Facebook, accusing them of a lack of confidentiality. Netanyahu added that 'the people know that the attacks against me and my family have intensified again, but it will be proven that there is nothing.' However, according to Israeli media, Isaac Herzog, the opposition leader, and Avi Gabbay, the leader of the Labor Party in the opposition, as well as representatives of the 'Kulanu' party, which is allied with the government, sharply criticized Netanyahu for his attack on the police. Former Defense Minister Ehud Barak also tweeted that Netanyahu, who 'is heading for a fall, wants to bring down important state institutions with him.' The conflict between Netanyahu and the police leadership comes as hundreds of Israelis demonstrated on Saturday evening for the forty-eighth consecutive week in front of the home of the government's chief legal advisor in Petah Tikva, demanding that he issue an indictment against the Prime Minister as soon as possible and not delay any longer. Supporters of the Israeli Prime Minister have managed in recent weeks to limit the number of weekly protesters in Petah Tikva through various strategies. However, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled last week that protesters have the right to express their opinions to the chief legal advisor or any other official, anywhere and in any number, even if the aim of the protest is to demand the Prime Minister's trial. While the legal advisor emphasizes that there is still no solid evidence for Netanyahu's trial, he has ordered that Sara Netanyahu, the Prime Minister's wife, be tried for mismanagement of the Prime Minister's residence finances.