ALBAWABA - As Israel fights numerous fronts, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a new domestic crisis. A government committee probing the "Submarine Affair" has warned five people, including Netanyahu and former Navy chief Admiral Ram Rothberg, about their possible participation in the sale.
The $2 billion Thyssenkrupp submarine acquisition by Israel is under investigation for corruption and bribery. The committee's 11-page document, according to "Times of Israel," says Netanyahu bypassed his administration to reach political, security, and military deals with Germany. He is also accused of excluding security bodies, not documenting meetings, and establishing competing work channels, endangering national security and foreign ties.
Besides Netanyahu and Rothberg, the committee cautioned former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, Mossad head Yossi Cohen, and NSC officer Avner Simhoni. These announcements let persons submit further testimony and documentation of their conduct.
The 2022-formed inquiry committee under former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has spent over two years investigating Netanyahu's submarine and navy ship acquisitions. Netanyahu is not a suspect, but he has testified to the police about the agreement, and many of his close aides have been prosecuted and convicted.
Netanyahu's staff responded by highlighting the submarines' relevance for Israeli national security, particularly against Iran. The statement claimed that Netanyahu's submarine and surface ship acquisitions protected Israel's security and will be vindicated by history.
