Netanyahu to be questioned over 'financial corruption' allegations

Israeli media reported on Sunday, January 1, that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, is under suspicion of receiving certain 'financial benefits' and will be 'soon' investigated by the police. According to these reports, Israeli police commanders visited the prosecutor in recent days and stated that information gathered during interrogations with several individuals close to Netanyahu necessitated an investigation of him as well. Israeli media reports indicate that Avichai Mandelblit, the Israeli Attorney General, agreed in recent days to allow police investigators to question Netanyahu, and this was communicated to him as well. These reports claim that Netanyahu may have received certain 'benefits' due to his longstanding close connections with two well-known businessmen. Media sources have mentioned one Israeli businessman and one famous international trader. Israel's Channel 2 reported on Saturday, January 1, that one of these businessmen, Ron Lauder, is one of the owners of the famous cosmetics company 'Estée Lauder' and owns several important Israeli and global industries. According to these reports, Mr. Lauder was invited to the police headquarters shortly after attending the funeral of Shimon Peres a few weeks ago to answer questions from police investigators. Israeli media reports say that Mr. Lauder confirmed his presence at the police headquarters and stated that he complied with the police's request 'with a clear conscience.' Haaretz newspaper claims that Mr. Lauder confirmed in his conversation with the police that he had given 'gifts' to Netanyahu. Israeli media have reported that the police requested that Netanyahu's eldest son, Yair, also be questioned as a 'witness,' but no charges have been brought against him. According to Haaretz, the police have asked Netanyahu's office to provide 'maximum opportunity' for police investigators so that investigations into Mr. Netanyahu can begin as soon as possible. Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Friday, December 30, 'They will gain nothing because there is nothing, and no case will be formed.' The Israeli Prime Minister's office has also stated that there has been 'intense media pressure' on legal institutions. Sa'ar Hanegbi, a minister and supporter of Netanyahu, told the media that political rivals who are 'frustrated' from defeating the Likud party in elections want to remove Netanyahu from the premiership through 'unjust pressures.' The police have announced that they have prepared a team of some of their most experienced investigators, who have previously participated in interrogating former prime ministers, to investigate Netanyahu. Interrogation and even trial and imprisonment of senior Israeli officials is a historical precedent. Ehud Olmert, a former prime minister, was sentenced to nineteen months in prison for receiving benefits while he was the mayor of Jerusalem and still has several months until his release. Benjamin Netanyahu, 67, has served as Prime Minister of Israel in four terms. Meanwhile, Israeli media, based on recent polls, have reported that if any reason leads to the collapse of the current government, the Likud party led by Netanyahu may be weakened. According to these polls, the 'Yesh Atid' party (meaning 'There is a Future') led by former journalist Lapid has gained higher popularity in public opinion compared to the Likud party led by Netanyahu. However, these same polls also indicate that the right-wing in Israel is stronger than ever, and the possibility of preventing Netanyahu's premiership in the next elections is very weak - unless the current police investigations against him lead to formal charges.