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.
Juruterbang bomba dihantar ke UAE jalani latihan tambahan secara simulasi
JBPM telah diberikan peruntukan sebanyak RM800,000 untuk menghantar kesemua 17 juruterbang ke negara terbabit.
Lebih 14,000 aduan diterima menerusi aplikasi MYJalan setakat ini - Ahmad Maslan
KKR juga telah menyelesaikan 86 peratus daripada 3,766 aduan diterima menerusi aplikasi itu setakat ini.
AWANI Pagi: Apa Erti Sebenar Cakna Autisme?
Bulan Kesedaran Autisme disambut setiap tahun pada bulan April, untuk meningkatkan kesedaran umum berkenaan diagnosis tersebut. Sejauh mana cakna masyarakat mengenai autisme setakat ini? Ikuti diskusinya dalam Awani Pagi 7.30 pagi Khamis bersama Afiezy Azaman & Azib Zikry.
KPT salur bantuan pendidikan, pengecualian yuran IPT anak mangsa nahas helikopter
KPT melalui PTPTN akan menyalurkan sebanyak RM1,000 seorang kepada 21 anak mangsa nahas dua helikopter yang terhempas di Lumut.
[LAPOR LANGSUNG] Freedom Flotilla to Gaza: Kapal sedia belayar Jumaat ini - FFC
FFC mengesahkan sudah melengkapkan segala keperluan bagi membolehkan misi pelayaran Jumaat ini.
Freedom Flotilla to Gaza: Semua keperluan sudah dilengkapkan, kapal sedia belayar Jumaat ini - FFC
Ia termasuk keperluan teknikal dan 'crewing' yang merujuk kepada proses menyediakan dan menguruskan ahli kru.
Freedom Flotilla to Gaza: Ideologi Nelson Mandela wajar dicontohi dalam misi capai keamanan - Cucu
Menurut Manlda Mandela, datuknya pencinta keamanan dan bukan seorang pendendam walaupun selepas berjaya mengalahkan rejim apartheid.
Kontroversi UM: Bukan untuk sekat kebebasan universiti - Zambry
Kebebasan yang diberi perlu mengambil kira polisi serta pendirian kerajaan di samping sensitiviti masyarakat dan majoriti rakyat.
Pelan strategik pendigitalan akan dikemaskinikan selari transformasi digital - Wilson
Pelan strategik pendigitalan akan dikemaskinikan selari dengan transformasi digital, kata Timbalan Menteri Digital Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong.
Kekejaman zionis: Gaza lepasi ambang kebuluran enam minggu akan datang - WFP
Semenanjung Gaza bakal melepasi ambang kebuluran iaitu ketidakamanan makanan, kekurangan zat makanan dan kematian.
200 hari menyerang Gaza, Israel rancang serang Rafah yang bakal memburukkan keadaan
Sejak Oktober tahun lepas, tentera Israel telah membunuh 34,183 warga Palestin dan mencederakan lebih 77,000 yang lain.
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
Israel akan mempertahankan dirinya sendiri - Benjamin Netanyahu
Israel akan membuat keputusan sendiri dan akan melakukan segala yang diperlukan untuk mempertahankan diri.
Israel dakwa serangan terbaharu Iran 'gagal'
Serangan semalaman Iran yang tidak pernah berlaku sebelum ini ke atas Israel telah 'digagalkan' kata tentera Israel.
'Kami sudah bersedia diserang Iran' - Netanyahu
Menurut Netanyahu, sistem pertahanan mereka sudah dalam keadaan siap siaga, sejak beberapa minggu lalu.
Biden ikrar sokong Israel sekiranya diserang Iran
AS akan terus melindungi keselamatan Israel sekalipun ketika Biden dan Netanyahu sering tidak sependapat konflik di Palestin.
Netanyahu lancar perang di Gaza atas dasar "kepentingan peribadi" - Bekas PM Israel
Sikap Netanyahu dalam menghadapi tekanan antarabangsa termasuk dari Amerika Syarikat hanya akan membawa kepada kejatuhannya, kata Ehud Olmert.
Israel masih belum beritahu AS bila akan ceroboh Rafah, kata Blinken
Pentadbiran Presiden Joe Biden akan bertemu "rakan sekerja Israel lagi minggu depan" untuk perbincangan mengenai isu itu.
"Tiada kuasa di dunia" akan hentikan operasi Israel di Rafah, kata Netanyahu
"Kami akan menyelesaikan penghapusan batalion Hamas termasuk di Rafah. Tidak ada kuasa di dunia yang akan menghalang kami."
Genap enam bulan selepas perang, tentera Israel undur dari selatan Gaza
Netanyahu dakwa, Israel hanya selangkah daripada kemenangan dan tidak akan berhenti dalam pertempuran sehingga Hamas bebaskan semua tebusan.