An Israeli court said on Thursday that two police investigations in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been questioned could result in corruption charges, and that prosecutors were in talks with one of his former top aides.
The disclosures, made in an court order limiting media coverage of the cases, did not name Netanyahu. But they ramped up speculation among Israeli legal analysts that he could face indictment if ex-chief of staff Ari Harow turns state's witness.
Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing, and his spokesman said in a statement on Thursday that the premier was the target of "a witch-hunt, now at its peak, aimed at changing the government".
"This is destined to fail, for a simple reason: Nothing will happen because nothing happened," the spokesman said.
Netanyahu had been questioned under caution by police over so-called Case 1,000, dealing with gifts given to him and his family by businessmen, and Case 2,000, related to conversations he held with an Israeli publisher.
Harow did not return a call from Reuters seeking comment. His lawyer declined to respond to Israeli media reports this week that he was in talks about testifying against his former boss.
Thursday's order by Rishon Lezion Magistrate's Court said the two cases involved "suspicion of the commission of the felonies of bribery, fraud and breach of trust".
The court order further barred publication of "any details from the negotiations under way with Ari Harrow and counsel and the substance of matters relayed during the negotiations".
Harow served as then-opposition leader Netanyahu's chief of staff in 2008, a post he held for two years. He returned in 2014 to serve as the premier's chief of staff, but resigned a year later amid corruption allegations that he denied at the time.
Odelia Carmon, a Netanyahu ex-aide who worked with Harow, said that if he turns state's witness it would be a "bombshell".
"He dealt with raising donations, he dealt with the finances, he dealt with state secrets," Carmon told Israel's Army Radio on Wednesday. "So this is not someone that Netanyahu can disavow, and I further believe he has everything documented."
If charges are brought, political upheaval in Israel would be likely, with pressure on Netanyahu, 67, to step down after 11 years in office, spread over four terms.
Case 1,000 involves Netanyahu and family members receiving gifts on a regular basis from two businessmen. Israeli media have reported that the gifts included cigars and champagne. [nL5N1F249D]
Case 2,000 involves a deal Netanyahu allegedly discussed with the owner of one of Israel's largest newspapers, Yedioth Ahronoth, for better coverage in return for curbs on competition from a free paper owned by U.S. casino mogul Sheldon Adelson. The latter paper has long promoted the prime minister.
Israeli media said Harow had recorded Netanyahu's conversations with Yedioth publisher Arnon Mozes.
Under Israeli law, Netanyahu would not be obliged to resign were he charged. Opponents are calling for him to do so.
Netanyahu is not the first Israeli leader to face criminal investigation: former prime minister Ehud Olmert was convicted of breach of trust and bribery in 2014 and Ariel Sharon was questioned while in office over allegations of bribery and campaign financing illegalities.
Israeli police are also investigating a $2 billion deal to buy German submarines, in which Netanyahu's personal lawyer also represented the local agent of the German manufacturer. Netanyahu, who is not under investigation in the case, has given his full backing to his lawyer
Reuters
Fri Aug 04 2017
Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing.
AWANI Ringkas: 'Uncle Roger' cipta rekod dunia Guinness
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
4 terbunuh, 3 cedera dalam kebakaran di timur laut China disyaki berpunca daripada basikal elektrik
Empat orang terbunuh dan tiga lagi cedera dalam kebakaran sebuah bangunan kediaman pada Jumaat malam di Shenyang.
Kementerian akui rumit, pegawai kebajikan beri bantuan
Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri mengakui kes membabitkan mangsa yang diselamatkan polis dalam Op Global adalah rumit.
‘Big storm’ coming, ASEAN must strengthen cohesion and unity - Kishore Mahbubani
Prominent Singaporean diplomat and academic Kishore Mahbubani warns of a looming ‘geopolitical storm’ and urges ASEAN to strengthen its cohesion and unity.
In an interview with Astro AWANI, Mahbubani highlights the importance of ASEAN countries coming together amidst U.S.-China tensions and maintaining neutrality.
#ASEAN25
In an interview with Astro AWANI, Mahbubani highlights the importance of ASEAN countries coming together amidst U.S.-China tensions and maintaining neutrality.
#ASEAN25
AWANI Ringkas: 39 lagi rumah amal GISBH dalam radar polis
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Penduduk pulau di Tumpat dapat manfaat penyeragaman harga - KPDN
Azman Ismail berkata program itu bertujuan mengurangkan kos sara hidup penduduk di kawasan berkenaan.
Fitnah seleweng duit kementerian, Rafizi saman Wan Ahmad Fayhsal
Menteri Ekonomi, Rafizi Ramli bakal memfailkan saman terhadap Ahli Parlimen Machang, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal susulan dakwaan menyeleweng duit kementerian.
AWANI Borneo [14/09/2024] - Kepulangan yang dinanti | Projek RM50 juta | Belanjawan 2025
Tumpuan Awani Borneo 14 September 2024 bersama Pia Ernadya;
1. Kepulangan Bonnie ke Bumi Kenyalang disambut meriah
2. Penduduk Pulau Bruit bakal nikmati pembangunan pesat
3. Belanjawan 2025: KPT hantar permohonan peruntukan bina Politeknik Kota Belud
1. Kepulangan Bonnie ke Bumi Kenyalang disambut meriah
2. Penduduk Pulau Bruit bakal nikmati pembangunan pesat
3. Belanjawan 2025: KPT hantar permohonan peruntukan bina Politeknik Kota Belud
KPMKR perluas Skim Pemeriksaan Kesihatan Percuma
Kementerian Pembangunan Masyarakat dan Kesejahteraan Rakyat (KPMKR akan meluaskan Skim Pemeriksaan Kesihatan Percuma di seluruh kawasan di Sabah bagi menggalakkan budaya pemeriksaan kesihatan dalam kalangan orang awam terutamanya di kawasan luar bandar.
KPT hantar permohonan peruntukan bina Politeknik Kota Belud
Timbalan Menteri Pendidikan Tinggi Datuk Mustapha Sakmud berkata, Kementerian itu telah menghantar permohonan peruntukkan untuk dimasukkan ke dalam Belanjawan 2025 bagi tujuan menyelesaikan isu berkaitan cadangan pembinaan Politeknik Kota Belud.
Tiada terowong Hamas ditemui di sepanjang Koridor Philadelphi
Koridor tersebut menjadi isu utama dalam rundingan gencatan senjata serta pertukaran tahanan antara Israel dan kumpulan pejuang Hamas.
Amaran Hamas buat Israel: “Lebih ramai tebusan akan mati jika Zionis guna tekanan tentera”
Hamas beri amaran lebih ramai tebusan akan mati jika Israel cuba membebaskan mereka secara ketenteraan, bukannya melalui perjanjian.
Benjamin Netanyahu mohon maaf kepada keluarga tebusan yang dibunuh
PM Israel beri amaran Hamas perlu membayar harga yang mahal terhadap apa yang dilakukan terhadap enam tebusan itu.
Benjamin Netanyahu "bimbang" protes meluas rakyat Israel
Menteri Pertahanan Israel pula gelar pendekatan kerajaan terhadap perjanjian tebusan sebagai "penghinaan moral."
Ratusan ribu rakyat Israel sertai tunjuk perasaan, marah cara Netanyahu tangani krisis tebusan
Sekurang-kurangya 700,000 sertai tunjuk perasaan menuntut Netanyahu segera setuju perjanjian gencatan senjata.
Cadangan baharu gencatan senjata terlalu ikut kehendak Israel - Hamas
Hamas berkata cadangan baharu itu sejajar dengan kehendak Netanyahu yang enggan menamatkan perang dan mengundurkan tentera Israel dari Gaza.
1.8 peratus penduduk Gaza maut sejak serangan Israel pada 7 Okt - Data rasmi
Kira-kira 1.8 peratus atau lebih daripada 39,000 orang telah terbunuh dalam serangan Israel di Gaza sejak 7 Okt 2023.
Tentera Israel bom universiti di bandaraya Gaza, musnahkan bangunan kampus
Israel telah musnahkan 117 buah sekolah dan universiti, rosakkan 332 lagi dan bunuh 107 saintis, profesor universiti dan penyelidik.
Pembunuhan Ismail Haniyeh: Israel sedang bergerak ke arah kegelapan – Briged al-Qassam
Briged al-Qassam berkata, tindakan pembunuhan itu membawa Isreal menuju ke lembah kegelapan, dan mempercepatkan keruntuhan rejim itu.
Pembunuhan Ismail Haniyeh: Turki anggap Israel tolak keamanan, Iran ikrar tak sia-siakan 'darah'
Tindakan tersebut sekali lagi mendedahkan sikap Israel di bawah pimpinan Benjamin Netanyahu bahawa mereka tidak berhasrat mencapai keamanan.