Archiv: case 3000 (ThyssenKrupp submarine affair Germany-Israel-Egypt)

20.03.2023 - 14:45 [ Haaretz ]

Israel’s National Security Is in Peril. And the Biggest Threat Is Its Government

Almost a year ago, I completed my tour of duty as Israel’s Ambassador to Germany after four decades of service in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In recent months, I participated in the establishment of the Foreign Policy Forum, consisting of several former senior ambassadors, who have devoted decades to promoting the foreign relations of the State of Israel in the political, strategic, economic, security and cultural fields.

Just as we all fought on Israel’s diplomatic front in many countries, we are now fighting on the streets of Israel, shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of thousands of fellow citizens.

20.03.2023 - 14:39 [ Times of Israel ]

A year after its launch, details of submarine affair probe’s work yet to surface

(28 January 2023)

However, as of this time, the name of only one witness has been publicly announced — Amos Gilad, who was the director of the Defense Ministry’s Political-Military Affairs Bureau at the time of the purchase of the submarines.

The names of any other witnesses, if they exist, are unknown. Nor is it known how many times a week the commission meets, and which of the panel members are present when it does.

20.03.2023 - 14:37 [ Tal Schneider טל שניידר تال شنايدر / Nitter ]

A year after its launch, details of the submarine affair probe’s work have yet to surface While the identities of the witnesses and the materials studied remain unknown, some believe staying under the radar may save panel from being torpedoed by Netanyahu

20.03.2023 - 14:27 [ Haaretz ]

‚I’m Comfortable With My Decisions, but Uncomfortable Talking About Them‘: Netanyahu’s Account in Submarine Affair Revealed

(Sep 25, 2022)

The most serious accusation by Ya’alon was that Netanyahu had concealed from him and the army brass the fact that he had given former German Chancellor Angela Merkel a green light to sell advanced submarines to Egypt. “This could reach the level of treason,” the former defense minister said. In his statement, details of which became known to Haaretz, Netanyahu reversed his opposition to the sale of the submarines in a one-to-one conversation with Merkel, but refused to say why.

20.03.2023 - 14:22 [ Haaretz,com / Nitter ]

‚I don’t know what Thyssenkrupp is‘: Netanyahu’s account in submarine affair revealed

(26 Sep 2022)

20.03.2023 - 14:20 [ Spiegel.de ]

Angeblicher U-Boot-Deal mit Ägypten: Berlin beschwört gute Beziehungen zu Israel

(03.09.2012)

Auch dieser Export gilt als hochumstritten. Nach SPIEGEL-Informationen ist Kanzlerin Angela Merkel den Israelis weit entgegengekommen: Berlin übernimmt demnach nicht nur ein Drittel der Kosten, sondern stundet auch den israelischen Anteil bis 2015.

Der SPIEGEL hatte auch über eine atomare Bestückung der Boote berichtet.

02.10.2022 - 14:41 [ Haaretz.com / Nitter ]

“Do you know what I talk about with Merkel regarding the submarines”? Netanyahu’s account in Israel’s submarine affair revealed

(26.09.2022)

27.09.2022 - 21:22 [ Haaretz ]

‚I’m Comfortable With My Decisions, but Uncomfortable Talking About Them‘: Netanyahu’s Account in Submarine Affair Revealed

in 2018, Netanyahu he okayed Germany’s sale of submarines to Egypt, but refused to tell why – even to the then-defense chief Ya’alon. The reason behind his concealment might be the biggest question yet to be answered by the State Commission of Inquiry

12.04.2022 - 17:57 [ Times of Israel ]

Hearings in submarine affair probe to be open to public, despite state’s request

(15 March 2022)

The state commission of inquiry, approved by the cabinet in January, will consist of five panelists headed by former Supreme Court president Asher Grunis.

It is tasked with examining a murky $2 billion deal to purchase submarines from the German shipbuilder Thyssenkrupp. More specifically, it will attempt to evaluate the procedures and decision-making employed by the political echelon related to the sensitive procurement, conducted under the government of former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

25.01.2022 - 16:22 [ Times of Israel ]

Netanyahu expected to be called as central witness in state probe of submarine deal

On Sunday, the cabinet voted to establish the commission of inquiry into the incident, which dates back to 2012 and has become known as “Case 3000.” The submarine deal has already led to a number of indictments against several close confidants of Netanyahu, who called for the procurement, though the ex-premier has not been named as a suspect.

25.01.2022 - 16:16 [ Haaretz ]

In Netanyahu Corruption Case, the ‚System‘ Is Also Trying to Sidestep Trial

In nearly every discussion these days about a possible plea bargain with the defendant Benjamin Netanyahu, supporters of a compromise repeat the same main argument: The deal with the former prime minister is necessary in order to undermine his attack on the justice system. This argument was made most prominently by former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak, who explained that he supported the deal because it would “take the sting out of the demolition of the court system.”

17.01.2022 - 04:18 [ Times of Israel ]

Most Israelis oppose plea deal in Netanyahu trial, polls find

Talks on a possible plea deal for Netanyahu in his criminal trial have progressed in recent weeks, with a potential solution found to the major sticking point left between his team and state prosecutors, Hebrew-language media reports said over the weekend. Netanyahu has been resisting a deal primarily due to Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit’s demand that his actions be designated as carrying “moral turpitude” — legally barring him from public service for seven years.

17.01.2022 - 04:14 [ NPR.org ]

Netanyahu in talks to reach plea bargain in corruption trial

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit is set to retire at the end of January. With with no permanent successor yet determined, it’s unclear if a new attorney general would offer the same deal if Netanyahu does not accept it within the next two weeks.

Mandelblit could see a plea bargain as favorable to end Netanyahu’s attacks on the justice system.

11.10.2021 - 15:03 [ Times of Israel ]

Bennett said to tell Merkel Israel wants to advance controversial submarine deal

An unnamed senior Israeli official told Hebrew media that while hosting Merkel for a private dinner at the end of her two-day visit to Israel, Bennett said that he had ordered a reexamination of the deal and that the defense establishment had concluded that the Dolphin-type submarines are necessary.

03.08.2021 - 08:17 [ Radio Utopie ]

Sie wissen von der Bundeswehr-Beteiligung an der Kriegsflotte im Persischen Golf, oder?

20. Januar 2020: Monate vor der Ausrufung des bis heute andauernden Ausnahmezustands und bereits im Windschatten von SARS II („Coronavirus“), beschließen die Staatsführungen von Frankreich, Deutschland, Griechenland, Italien, der Niederlande, Belgien, Dänemark und Portugal in einer gemeinsamen Erklärung die „European-led maritime surveillance mission in the Strait of Hormuz“ (EMASOH), von der Sie und 80 Millionen Andere bis heute nie gehört haben.

23.06.2021 - 11:19 [ Haaretz ]

Israel Is Dealing With Mount Meron. Now Investigate the Submarine Affair

(21.06.2021)

This isn’t the first time Gantz has tried to launch an inquiry into the submarines affair. In November, he appointed a governmental inquiry committee headed by retired Judge Amnon Straschnov. But Mendelblit ordered that panel to hold off on starting work because he said its mandate would overlap with the criminal investigation. Moreover, Straschnov resigned after less than a month after concluding that the committee’s work would be pointless due to limitations to its authority. Nevertheless, it’s impossible not to attribute the dissolution of this committee to the fact that Netanyahu and his power structure controlled Israel at the time.

03.06.2021 - 16:26 [ Al Jazeera ]

Egypt’s intelligence chief holds talks with Hamas in Gaza Strip

(31.05.2021)

Khalil al-Haya spoke after meeting Abbas Kamel, who visited Gaza after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a trip aimed at shoring up an informal ceasefire brokered by Cairo.

21.05.2021 - 08:50 [ Times of Israel ]

Bibi’s back: 11 days of fighting have bolstered Netanyahu’s survival prospects

Early last week, the PM appeared to be on the way out, with his rivals about to announce a coalition. Now they have only a few days left, and much reduced chances

15.05.2021 - 06:57 [ defensenews.com ]

Israeli Navy welcomes new generation of German-made warships

( December 3, 2020 )

“Behind me is one of the most advanced war machines in the world, which poses a significant leap forward in the Israeli military’s ability to ensure our strength at sea and in naval operations,” said the military’s chief, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kohavi.

Israel agreed to buy the vessels in a 2015 deal valued at roughly €430 million (U.S. $480 million at the time), with the German government covering about one-quarter of the cost.

Several Israeli businessmen, including confidants of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a former commander of the Navy, are suspects in a graft scandal connected to the purchase of the warships and submarines from German conglomerate ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.

15.05.2021 - 06:30 [ i24news.tv ]

Germany brands Hamas rocket fire on Israel ‚terror attacks‘

„These are terrorist attacks that have only one goal: to kill people indiscriminately and arbitrarily and to spread fear,“ Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert told a press conference.

Merkel’s government defended „Israel’s right to self-defense against these attacks“, he added.

20.03.2021 - 13:38 [ navyrecognition.com ]

Israel, Greece and Cyprus hold naval drill with a participation of France

(15.03.2021)

The Dolphin 2-class are the largest submarines to have been built in Germany since World War II. The Dolphin class boats are the most expensive single vehicles in the Israel Defense Forces.

Each Dolphin-class submarine is capable of carrying a combined total of up to 16 torpedoes and Popeye Turbo submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCMs). The cruise missiles have a range of at least 1,500 km (930 mi) and are widely believed to be equipped with a 200 kiloton nuclear warhead containing up to 6 kilograms (13 lb) of plutonium.

20.03.2021 - 13:33 [ Süddeutsche.de ]

Below the Surface

In the last 20 years, Israel has spent billions on submarines ordered from Germany, with a political agreement having been reached on three additional vessels. The big question, though, is: Why so many? Why does Israel want so many more submarines than are, according to experts, necessary for the defense of the country?

20.03.2021 - 13:25 [ Süddeutsche.de ]

Unter Druck

Angebot auswählen
und weiterlesen

19.03.2021 - 23:47 [ Haaretz ]

Israel Has Struck at Least 12 Ships Carrying Iranian Oil to Syria, Report Says

(11.03.2021)

The naval attacks had not been reported before Thursday.

19.03.2021 - 23:41 [ Tagesschau.de ]

Neue Dokumente: U-Boot-Geschäft mit Israel wirft Fragen auf

Derzeit prüft der Oberste Gerichtshof in Jerusalem, ob neue Untersuchungen eingeleitet werden müssen. Dafür liegen ihm unter anderem mehr als ein Dutzend Aussagen hochrangiger Zeugen vor. Darunter die des früheren Premierministers Ehud Barak, des Ex-Verteidigungsministers Mosche Jaalon, der ehemaligen Chefs des Geheimdienstes Mossad und von Generälen und Generalstabschefs. Eingesammelt und dem Gerichtshof vorgelegt hat sie die israelische Nichtregierungsorganisation „Movement for Quality Government in Israel“. WDR, NDR und „Süddeutsche Zeitung“ (SZ) konnten sie einsehen.

19.03.2021 - 23:34 [ Movement for Quality Government in Israel ]

We petitioned the High Court of Justice in demand of a full investigation regarding the Submarines Affair

Our investigative department got hold of new evidence concerning the Submarines Affair (our efforts continue – the department still investigates the affair in full energy). In our petition to the High Court of Justice we requested the judges to order the following:

1. Criminal investigation of Netanyahu’s Steel Shares Affair. 2. Criminal investigation against Netanyahu in the Submarines Affair. 3. Establishing a State Inquiry Committee in order to finally investigate this severe affair.

24.02.2021 - 21:36 [ Haaretz ]

What Angela Merkel’s Retirement This Year Means for Israel

Laschet is committed to Chancellor Merkel’s famous sentence, which she uttered when addressing the Knesset in Jerusalem in 2008, that Israel’s security is part of Germany’s raison d’être. According to Speich, “it is Laschet’s fundamental foreign policy conviction that Germany must commit itself to the security of Israel. It is a political obligation.”

08.02.2021 - 10:50 [ Haaretz ]

Mendelblit, Don’t Delay

(14.02.2018)

The police announcement Tuesday – that the investigations into two cases involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been completed – came 13 months after Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit decided that a “preliminary examination” of the allegations, which itself took six months, should become full-fledged criminal investigations.

01.02.2021 - 17:58 [ Heise.de ]

Deutsche U-Boote: Waffenhilfe für Erdogan

Der griechische Verteidigungsminister soll sich demnach bei dem Gespräch am vergangenen Mittwoch an seine deutsche Kollegin mit der Forderung oder der Bitte gewandt haben, den Bau der sechs U-Boote des Typs 214, die an die Türkei geliefert werden sollen, zu stoppen. Denn die U-Boote könnten von der Regierung Erdogan dazu benutzt werden, „eine expansionistische Politik der Türkei in der Ägais und im östlichen Mittelmeer zu verfolgen“.

Kramp-Karrenbauer soll dies abgelehnt haben. Der Bau könne nicht gestoppt werden, auch nicht verzögert, weil der Hersteller Thyssen seit 2002 durch Verträge gebunden sei.

17.01.2021 - 11:04 [ Haaretz ]

Netanyahu Making Progress in Bid to Cancel His Corruption Trial

A year ago, Netanyahu waived his parliamentary immunity after he realized that in the Knesset elected in September 2019, he had no chance of receiving immunity. But the prime minister’s lawyers recently claimed in court that he never waived his right to parliamentary immunity, saying that the Knesset’s immunity proceedings were flawed.

20.12.2020 - 22:38 [ Haaretz ]

Gantz’s Party Agrees to Delay Budget Deadline to Give More Time for Deal With Netanyahu

Defense Minister Benny Gantz’s Kahol Lavan party said Sunday that it has agreed to postpone the Tuesday deadline to pass Israel’s 2020 state budget by one week, in a move that could give it more time to negotiate a deal with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud to avoid what would be a fourth election cycle in two years.

20.12.2020 - 15:08 [ Haaretz ]

Gantz Agrees to Curb Justice Minister’s Powers in Deal With Netanyahu to Stave Off Election

Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz has agreed to curb Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn’s powers, sources said, in bid to stave off election.

In return, Gantz hopes to cement the rotation agreement for the premiership with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is upheld.

18.12.2020 - 08:45 [ Jerusalem Post ]

Attorney-General to High Court: Don’t overturn unity gov’t

It was unclear whether the High Court could ever strike down a quasi-constitutional basic law, he said. In any event, if it were possible, it would need to be a far more extreme law, implying something criminal or actively undermining democracy, he added.

Furthermore, Mandelblit rejected the notion that the coalition was abusing or ignoring the will of the voter by forming coalitions they had vowed not to form.

18.12.2020 - 08:35 [ Haaretz ]

Netanyahu Preparing Another Request for Lawmakers to Grant Him Immunity

(30.11.2020)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to ask the Knesset again for immunity from prosecution in his corruption cases, based on his lawyers’ argument that the criminal investigation against him was flawed and should be reconsidered.

In the past month, the prime minister has told associates that he is weighing the benefits of such a move against the possible damage it could do to his image in public opinion.

17.12.2020 - 10:42 [ Globes.co.il ]

Israeli drones leased to Germany to remain unarmed

Felgentreu is considered one of the biggest supporters of the move to arm the UAVs, which was separated from the actual procurement of the UAVs due to previous opposition within the SPD, which caused him to resign over the issue. Felgentreu has told „Globes“ in the past that the German army needs the Israeli UAVs to help protect its combat soldiers on missions in Afghanistan and Mali.

15.12.2020 - 22:43 [ PCwelt.de ]

Heron TP: Deutschland bekommt kampffähige Drohne aus Israel

(14.06.2018)

Die Bundeswehr bekommt aus Israel die Drohne Heron TP. Zunächst nur in der Aufklärungsvariante, doch die Drohne kann auch bewaffnet werden und dann als Kampfdrohne fungieren.

02.12.2020 - 05:24 [ Tagesanzeiger.ch ]

Regierung in Israel wankt: Benny Gantz hat genug von Netanyahus Spielen

Gantz hatte diese Runde der Auseinandersetzung in der vorigen Woche mit einem Frontalangriff auf Netanyahu eröffnet, als er in seinem Ministerium eine Untersuchungskommission einsetzte, die den Kauf deutscher U-Boote näher beleuchten soll. Es geht um den Verdacht der Korruption im engeren Umfeld des Premiers.

30.11.2020 - 11:22 [ Haaretz ]

Full Transparency for the Submarine Inquiry

The commission’s first meeting, scheduled for Monday, has been postponed at Mendelblit’s request until the scope of its activity has been defined. The commission is expected to submit a final report in about four months.

29.11.2020 - 11:34 [ Haaretz ]

‚Netanyahu Endangers Israel‘: Thousands Protest Against PM Across Israel

Thousands of protesters demonstrated on Saturday evening against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at intersections, bridges and squares across Israel, as weekly demonstrations continued for the 23rd week in a row.

24.11.2020 - 11:55 [ New York Times ]

Israeli Panel to Look Into Submarine Scandal, Riling Netanyahu

Mr. Netanyahu was not named as a suspect in an earlier police investigation of the purchase of submarines and missile boats from Germany that caught up several of his close associates. The planned commission of inquiry lacks legal authority. It may summon any witness to testify but cannot compel anybody to appear before it.

23.11.2020 - 12:30 [ Haaretz ]

Gantz Announces Commission of Inquiry Into Submarine Affair That Has Plagued Netanyahu

The submarine affair has become a central element in the protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where demonstrators have carried inflatable submarines inscribed with slogans like “S.S. Investigation.” Protesters are calling for a commission of inquiry into the affair, as well as calling on Netanyahu to step down in light of his corruption charges.

15.11.2020 - 00:21 [ Haaretz ]

Thousands Protest Netanyahu in Jerusalem, at Least 18 Arrested Ahead of Demonstration

Police say they arrested 18 with protesters claiming 23 have been detained as they demand Netanyahu be investigated for the so-called ’submarine affair‘

12.11.2020 - 15:14 [ Haaretz ]

The Electoral Math Behind Netanyahu’s Sudden Affinity for Arab Lawmakers

Last Thursday, in an interview with Radio Anas, Abbas said he wouldn’t dismiss supporting legislation to freeze Netanyahu’s trial. The choice of Matanyahu Englman as state comptroller was attributed to the “defection” of Ra’am members from the opposition ranks, in addition to Abbas’ support for canceling the vote that approved the establishment of an inquiry committee on the submarine procurements.

24.10.2020 - 21:54 [ Haaretz ]

Anti-Netanyahu Protesters Return to the Streets, Thousands March From Knesset

At about 10:00 P.M., thousands of Jerusalem protesters started another march from the vicinity of the prime minister’s residence. Police tried to stop the march in the Mamila area, but demonstrators broke into a run and bypassed the roadblocks.

Meanwhile, about 1,000 people are taking part in a protest by the Movement for Quality Government at Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square for the second week in a row, under the banner of „Corruption is leaping – the state is sinking,“ a play on the Hebrew word for submarine.

17.10.2020 - 22:51 [ ‏Tal Schneider טל שניידר تال شنايدر Diplomatic & Political Correspondent globes.co.il / Twitter ]

Groundbreaking number of demonstrators against PM Netanyahu in Jerusalem tonight, across the street from his house. It is an anti corruption demonstration as he is defendant in bribery, breach of trust trial.

14.08.2020 - 23:20 [ Haaretz ]

The Netanyahu Crime Syndicate’s Open Season on the Legal System

To understand what the crime syndicate that has taken over this country is after, one must first understand the goals of the man who leads it. The criminal defendant bunkered down in Balfour Street has three goals: to remain prime minister, to cancel his trial and to prevent the truth from coming out about the so-called steel shares and submarines affairs (which could result in charges that are much more serious than those in his current trial).

14.07.2020 - 21:29 [ Haaretz ]

Thousands Protest Outside PM’s Residence Demanding Netanyahu’s Resignation

Netanyahu has been drawing criticism not only for his alleged misconduct in the three corruption cases against him, but also for his attacks on the attorney general, the media, law enforcement and the judiciary in his arguments that the charges against him are baseless.

Protesters have also demanded further investigation into allegations of impropriety in the purchase of submarines from Germany.

11.07.2020 - 17:21 [ Or-ly Barlev ~ אור-לי ברלב / Twitter ]

‚No way‘ protest in Israel. Why we are protesting against PM Netanyahu – Guy Poran explains:

28.06.2020 - 15:40 [ i24NEWS English / Twitter ]

A #Jerusalem court has released former Air Force general and leading activist opposed to #Netanyahu whose arrest prompted hundreds to protest outside the prime minister’s residence.

28.06.2020 - 09:31 [ Haaretz ]

Israeli Court Orders Leader of Protest Against Netanyahu Released From Police Custody

The organizers said that over the course of the week, they will establish a protest tent on Tel Aviv’s Rothschild Boulevard – recalling the tent city that had been erected there during the social protests of 2012.

Additional protests are taking place at some 70 intersections throughout the country. Dozens of protesters are present at each junction, holding signs reading „Netanyahu is corrupt and corrupts,“ „Investigation now“ (referring to the so-called submarine affair), „The defendent needs to go home,“ and other slogans.

28.06.2020 - 09:05 [ Times of Israel ]

7 arrested, including ex-general, as hundreds protest outside Netanyahu’s home

(26.06.2020)

Demonstration part of ongoing ‘black flag’ anti-corruption protests against the prime minister, who is standing trial in a series of graft cases

22.06.2020 - 08:36 [ Haaretz ]

Unstoppable, Indestructible, Endless Bibi

Since 1999 Netanyahu has managed to exhaust an entire political camp. His battles with the old elites was first and foremost a war of attrition. The noise that this compressor emits is only getting louder. It seems as if we haven’t been able to sleep properly for 20 years – it hasn’t given us a moment’s peace. This isn’t a compressor. This is a force of nature.

Another 10 years of Netanyahu in power is starting to look like a fairly realistic scenario.

18.06.2020 - 11:45 [ Haaretz ]

Will Germany Be Bombing Afghanistan With Israeli Drones?

Israel’s drone deals with Germany began in 2009, when it first leased drones to the German army for use in Afghanistan. Seven years later there was a similar transaction, this time to operate the drones in Mali.

06.05.2020 - 15:15 [ Haaretz ]

Netanyahu Is Above the Law

Every day that passes provides more proof of the twisted state of Israeli democracy, in which a defendant under criminal indictment leads the government and is a candidate to form the next one.

29.03.2020 - 10:03 [ i24news.tv ]

Report: Gantz to support law keeping Netanyahu minister despite indictments

Israel Resilience party leader Benny Gantz will reportedly support a new law allowing incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to serve in the government despite multiple indictments against him, according to Hebrew media.

Current Israeli Parliament (Knesset) legislation bars elected officials from serving as government ministers while being charged with a crime.

29.03.2020 - 09:59 [ i24news.tv ]

‚Black flag‘ protesters decry ‚corrupt‘ unity deal near Gantz’s home

The activists say they use the black flag, pinning them to the back of vehicles, to symbolize the danger a prime minister under indictment poses to Israeli democracy, according to The Times.

Netanyahu was indicted last year on three charges following a years-long corruption investigation, including breach of public trust, bribery, and fraud.

03.03.2020 - 15:16 [ Haaretz ]

Top Israeli Military Brass to Be Indicted in Submarine Affair

(28.02.2020)

Prosecutors said in December they intended to file an indictment in the case against the key suspects in the affair: former naval chief Eliezer Merom; Netanyahu’s attorney and confidant David Shimron; and Ganor.

The suspicions published in December said Ganor and Bar-Yosef, who got to know each other during their military service, met in 2009 when Bar-Yosef proposed they cooperate to advance Ganor’s being named as ThyssenKrupp’s agent in Israel, because he “wanted to get some monetary value out of it.”

08.12.2019 - 18:00 [ Haaretz ]

Needed: A Commission of Inquiry Into the Submarine Affair

The corruption involved in the purchase of submarines and ships from the German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp makes it among the worst such affairs in Israel’s history. It involves bribery, fraud, breach of trust and money laundering by a criminal network that functioned at the highest levels of Israel’s government and business people between 2009 and 2019 , funnelling government funds from the defense budget into private pockets, by swaying decisions regarding purchases from the German shipbuilder.

06.12.2019 - 16:47 [ Haaretz ]

Damage to Israel’s Security Inflicted by Submarine Affair Will Linger for Decades

The agreement with ThyssenKrupp included provisions for what would happen if corruption were discovered on the German end; in that situation, the corporation would be able to cancel the existing deals. But it included no provisions on what would happen if corruption were discovered on the Israeli end.

06.12.2019 - 16:37 [ i24news.tv ]

Netanyahu lawyer to be charged with money-laundering: judiciary

Israel’s attorney general said Thursday he intends to charge the personal lawyer of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with money-laundering in the state’s purchase of submarines from German firm Thyssenkrupp.

The justice ministry said that charges were also expected against a businessman who represented the firm in Israel and against a former head of the Israeli navy.

21.11.2019 - 06:51 [ Haaretz ]

Israel’s Attorney General Must Decide on Netanyahu Before the Next Election

A third election isn’t the worst alternative among everything that could have happened if Netanyahu had formed a government. But a third election must be held only after Mendelblit announces his decision on the cases against Netanyahu. Mendelblit must decide before the next election.

18.11.2019 - 07:25 [ Haaretz ]

Mendelblit, Don’t Delay

(14.02.2018)

18.11.2019 - 07:22 [ Haaretz ]

Israeli Prosecutors’ Conference Postponed Ahead of Netanyahu Indictment

State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan announced Sunday the postponement of a conference for senior prosecutors scheduled for Thursday. His office cited “scheduling constraints” and said a new date would be set for the gathering in Jerusalem.

02.11.2019 - 14:07 [ Haaretz ]

Mendelblit, Don’t Delay

(14.02.2018)

02.11.2019 - 14:04 [ i24news.tv ]

Israel’s attorney general scheduled talks regarding Netanyahu indictment

Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit will be holding talks in the coming week with aims to reach a decision at the end of November on whether or not to …

29.10.2019 - 08:07 [ Haaretz ]

Gantz Says No Progress Achieved in Talks on Unity Government With Netanyahu’s Likud

Yair Lapid, the No. 2 on the Kahol Lavan roster, said at the party meeting that a government can’t be created in the space of 48 hours, and that all Netanyahu had to agree to was to be second in the rotation – i.e., to agree that Gantz serve as prime minister first, then Netanyahu. But what Netanyahu wants is a third election, Lapid said.

“That’s what his lawyers suggested to him, that’s what he needs because of the indictments,” Lapid said.

24.10.2019 - 05:54 [ i24NEWS English / Twitter ]

‚The prime minister is not above the law, but neither is he below it,‘ senior #Netanyahu lawyer says as he enters the closed-door corruption hearing

(02.10.2019)

05.10.2019 - 10:04 [ Economist.com ]

Binyamin Netanyahu’s last chance to avoid indictment

Even if he is indicted, Mr Netanyahu intends to stay on as prime minister. The law does not require him to step down until a final conviction.

02.10.2019 - 18:52 [ Haaretz ]

Short and to the Point, Attorney General Mendelblit

The hearing of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the criminal cases against him will begin Wednesday, nearly three years after they were opened. (Cases 1000 and 2000 came first, followed later by Case 3000.) That is an unreasonable period of time, including in comparison to investigations of and legal steps taken against other public figures. Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit is responsible for this.

24.09.2019 - 14:41 [ Haaretz ]

Israel Election Results: Gantz Capitulates Without Battle

Less than a week after his impressive electoral achievement, the head of the largest Knesset faction, Kahol Lavan leader Benny Gantz, conceded his right to be the first to try and form a coalition government. The explanation given by “party sources” for this concession is that Gantz prefers to wait for Netanyahu to try first and fail.

Regrettably, this lame excuse is unconvincing. This move looks like a capitulation without a fight, an admission that the right wing’s long-standing tactic of delegitimizing parties representing Arab society succeeded.

24.09.2019 - 07:19 [ Haaretz ]

Benny Gantz’s Tactical Waiting Game Is Too Clever by Half

Netanyahu getting a first nod from the president would land a harsh blow on the center-left’s morale, which could facilitate Netanyahu’s plan to divide the party from within. The nightmarish vision of Netanyahu settling back in the driver’s seat and recklessly pushing the gas pedal to reach his target would make a mockery of his clear-cut defeat in last Tuesday’s election. While Gantz and his colleagues rejoice over sucker Netanyahu supposedly falling into their well-laid trap, their supporters will see them as naive novices who could soon add insult to injury by reneging on their main pledge not to participate in his coalition.

24.09.2019 - 07:04 [ Times of Israel ]

Gantz, Netanyahu meet at President Rivlin’s residence to launch unity talks

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) shakes hands with Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz (R) as President Reuven Rivlin looks on, at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, on September 23, 2019.

18.09.2019 - 11:25 [ Wikipedia ]

Investigations involving Benjamin Netanyahu: Case 3000

Three Dolphin-class submarines and four Sa’ar 6-class corvette were purchased from the German company ThyssenKrupp by Israel. The suspicion in this case refers to swaying the deal in ThyssenKrup’s favor for the personal gain of several of the people involved. Netanyahu is not a suspect in Case 3000, though his cousin and personal lawyer David Shimron, who also represented the German company in Israel, is one of the main suspects.

18.09.2019 - 11:16 [ Hamodia.com ]

Report: Mandelblit Won’t Reopen Case 3000 Investigation

(29.03.2019)

Blue and White party candidates have in recent days sent many messages to Mandelblit demanding that the case be reopened and that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s role in the affair be re-examined.

18.09.2019 - 11:09 [ Independent.co.uk ]

Israel election: Netanyahu suffers devastating blow after hard-right coalition fails to win majority, exit polls indicate

Mr Netanyahu had sought a clear victory with his right-wing partners to secure immunity from three expected corruption trials.

17.09.2019 - 20:17 [ Haaretz ]

Mendelblit, Don’t Delay

(14.02.2018)

The police announcement Tuesday – that the investigations into two cases involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been completed – came 13 months after Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit decided that a “preliminary examination” of the allegations, which itself took six months, should become full-fledged criminal investigations.

17.09.2019 - 20:12 [ Washington Post ]

For Netanyahu, winning reelection could be the only way to avoid corruption charges

The prime minister has branded all three cases a baseless “witch hunt.” and his attorneys accused Mandelblit of interfering with elections by announcing his intention to indict during a campaign season.

15.09.2019 - 16:35 [ Haaretz ]

‚If Netanyahu Wins, Turn Out the Lights‘: Meet the Most Die-hard Opponents of Israel’s ‚Crime Minister‘

As a young Israeli studying abroad, I recently came home for a visit eager to discuss the upcoming elections with family and friends – but found an atmosphere of utter apathy. So I decided to go find people who were actually getting involved, and that’s how I ended up meeting Elisheva and her fellow protestors.

15.09.2019 - 14:34 [ Haaretz ]

Four Days to the Election, Netanyahu’s Last-minute Surge Hinges on Millennial Apathy

(14.09.2019)

His victory hangs on the fates of racist Otzma and leftist Labor – and on right-wingers coming out in droves while leftists go to the beach

15.09.2019 - 14:24 [ Haaretz ]

Netanyahu Is Destroying Israel’s Democracy to Survive

Another term would probably leave Israel’s democratic institutions, built through great work and years of care, in ruins. The damage Netanyahu will leave behind will be difficult to repair. On Tuesday, at the voting booths, the people must end his reign.

The above article is Haaretz’s lead editorial, as published in the Hebrew and English newspapers in Israel.

13.09.2019 - 14:44 [ Haaretz ]

Netanyahu needs to stay in power to avoid indictment. How far will he go to survive? | Analysis

02.09.2019 - 16:49 [ Haaretz ]

Incitement, the Best Defense

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s frontal assault on Channel 12 television was in line with his permanent strategy: If you can’t silence them, incite against them. Plan A failed when the acting chairman of the Central Elections Committee rejected Likud’s request for an injunction that would bar Channel 12’s legal correspondent, Guy Peleg, from continuing to publish statements made by key prosecution witnesses in the cases against Netanyahu prior to the election. So Netanyahu turned to Plan B – libeling Channel 12 as anti-Semitic and urging the public to boycott the station.

02.09.2019 - 06:24 [ Haaretz ]

This Election, It’s Good Guys vs. Bad Guys

After Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s shocking attack on Channel 12 television, it s clearer than ever who the good guys and the bad guys are, and the current election revolves around this choice.

01.09.2019 - 10:48 [ Haaretz ]

Netanyahu Ratchets Up Attack on Production Company, Journalist Reporting His Corruption Probes

PM claims Keshet Media Group, which produced the HBO series ‚Our Boys‘ that he blasted as anti-Semitic, is ‚committing a terror attack against democracy‘

01.09.2019 - 10:44 [ Haaretz ]

It’s Now Clear: Netanyahu Won’t Rest Until a Journalist’s Blood Is Spilled

We know what should be the fate of perpetrators. The man who more than two decades ago marched in front of a coffin (which he didn’t see, of course, a meter behind him) in a protest against Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, and who incited from a balcony in Zion Square, with posters of Rabin in SS uniform below him (which he didn’t see either), has gone back to his evil ways. Or, as the verse says in another context, as a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. He seeks chaos, violence and loss of restraint that will allow him to show off his “leadership” and take control of what’s happening.

31.08.2019 - 11:23 [ Times of Israel ]

Netanyahu urges boycott of ‘fake’ Channel 12, calls its ‘Our Boys’ anti-Semitic

Earlier the Central Elections Committee rejected a petition from Netanyahu’s Likud party to bar news outlets from publishing transcripts and documents from Netanyahu’s corruption investigations ahead of national elections next month.

29.08.2019 - 21:07 [ Jerusalem Post ]

The conversation that may lead to a Netanyahu conviction – Analysis

Until now, we knew from Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit that the prime minister would likely be indicted, with the timing expected to be by December.

However, Netanyahu has a strong chance of getting Mandelblit to drop any indictment in Case 2000, the Yediot Ahronot-Yisrael Hayom Affair, probably has a 50/50 chance of beating the charges in Case 1000, the Illegal Gifts Affair, and has a series of real defenses even in Case 4000.

29.08.2019 - 19:55 [ Haaretz ]

Netanyahu’s Wars on Both Iran and Israel

Such trepidations are valid for any caretaker government, all the more so regarding Netanyahu, who’s already suspected of subverting every value of governance to his personal interests. Someone who doesn’t loathe quashing the rule of law to be saved from the terror of the law, who doesn’t hesitate to shamelessly lie to preserve his rule, who isn’t deterred from overturning the parliamentary rules of the game to keep the charges against him from scrutiny seems destined to raise security tensions to distract public opinion from issues he isn’t comfortable with.

21.07.2019 - 17:39 [ Haaretz ]

Labor Could Join Netanyahu’s Coalition if Prime Minister Not Indicted, Chairman Says

The general election will take place on September 17, and Netanyahu’s pre-indictment hearing is set for October 2 and 3.

Peretz also characterized his joining forces last week with Orli Levi-Abekasis, chairwoman of the Gesher party, as “a chance to win,” otherwise Labor would suffer “sure defeat.”

30.05.2019 - 12:56 [ Haaretz ]

Even Netanyahu Knows It’s Over

Netanyahu may win the new election but it will be too late to push through the High Court override and the immunity from prosecution: Who will sign a coalition agreement with someone on his political deathbed?

18.05.2019 - 10:24 [ CNN ]

No indictment for Netanyahu

(20. April 1997)

Netanyahu told CNN’s Walter Rodgers he was „glad that the truth came out,“ and said the entire incident was „blown out of proportion and twisted out of shape.“

„It’s politics,“ he said in an interview shortly after the attorney general released his report. „Of course there were people out to get us. But this is going nowhere. It’s done. It’s finished.“

18.05.2019 - 10:06 [ Hamodia ]

Report: Mandelblit Won’t Reopen Case 3000 Investigation

(29.03.2019)

Part of Ganor’s testimony involved allegations that Netanyahu gave his consent to the sale of advanced submarines by ThyssenKrupp to Egypt, and that the Prime Minister had misled investigators by telling them that he had shared with Mandelblit information on why the sale was necessary – even though he was unwilling to tell them, because it was a “state secret.” Blue and White candidates have in recent days accused Netanyahu of a coverup,

13.05.2019 - 18:59 [ Haaretz ]

Netanyahu’s Assault on Judiciary Will Lead to Rule Without Restraint

If the new government now being formed is based on an agreement to enact an override clause that would let the Knesset annul court rulings that overturn legislation and decisions by government agencies, we must go to war to defend our homes. Not only, or even primarily, the Supreme Court’s home, but the home of each and every one of us.

We’ve already learned that a right-wing coalition will dance to the tune of the far-right, which Bezalel Smotrich, now reinforced by Itamar Ben-Gvir and Meir Kahane’s legacy will celebrate. Woe to us if our lives and rights are in their hands without anyone having the power to curb them.

13.05.2019 - 08:29 [ Richard C. Schneider, Editor-at-Large ARD German TV / Twitter ]

Surprise, surprise: Despite AG Mandelblit’s previous refusal he might now postpone Netanyahu’s indictment hearing from July to September

(11.05.2019)

13.05.2019 - 08:24 [ Haaretz ]

Netanyahu Pushes Law to Neutralize High Court Oversight and Uphold His Immunity

Likud has gathered a number of expert opinions regarding the legal systems of Canada and England, countries where the parliament can pass laws over the objection of the Supreme Court.

12.05.2019 - 22:45 [ Times of Israel ]

Mandelblit said leaning toward accepting delay to PM’s hearing

AG reportedly set to agree to several weeks’ deferral; Justice Ministry official: ‘No one is under any illusions: Netanyahu wants to buy time to arrange immunity for himself’

11.05.2019 - 14:51 [ Partners for Progressive Israel ‏/ Twitter ]

Once that’s accomplished, she writes, Netanyahu’s govt will move to pass a series of laws that give the PM immunity from indictment/prosecution, and in exchange give the far-right parties the pro-annexation laws they crave. 2/2

11.05.2019 - 14:45 [ Partners for Progressive Israel ‏ / Twitter ]

In e-blast to @meretzparty supporters, chair Tamar Zandberg warns that Netanyahu’s next coalition will try to pass an ‚override clause‘ that would allow it to effectively ignore High Court rulings. 1/2

11.05.2019 - 01:50 [ Jerusalem Post ]

Scorched earth legal battle between PM, AG- analysis

Of course, Mandelblit pointed out that he had signaled he would make a decision by February, before the Prime Minister declared early elections and dared the attorney-general to back-off.

Mandelblit, who slow-walked the investigations against Netanyahu for years, is no longer willing to play-ball.

10.05.2019 - 09:30 [ Middle East Monitor ]

At Netanyahu’s request, Israel Attorney General agrees to release corruption evidence after election

(12.03.2019)

According to a statement by Israel’s Ministry of Justice yesterday, Mandelblit has “decided to accept the request of the prime minister’s attorneys to delay the delivery of investigation materials in the cases related to the prime minister until after the election date [on 9 April],” Haaretz reported.

The statement added that Netanyahu had made the request “out of concern that evidentiary material could leak to the media and potentially affect public sentiment” ahead of the election.

05.05.2019 - 12:29 [ Haaretz ]

Netanyahu’s Partners Are Blackmailing Him – and a New Election Won’t Save Him

The looming indictments have made Netanyahu more amenable to pressure than ever

31.03.2019 - 12:48 [ Ofir Gendelman / Twitter ]

PM Netanyahu: I have ordered that IDF forces remain fully deployed around the Gaza Strip. This includes tanks, artillery, ground forces & the air force. We are prepared for any scenario and–if need be–an extensive campaign. We will do what needs to be done for Israel’s security

31.03.2019 - 10:44 [ Haaretz ]

The Law Designed to Close the Cases Against Netanyahu

“You can scream till you’re blue in the face that it’s the end of democracy, but until 2005 this was the law of the land,” Smotrich said. He’s not lying – a law provided immunity from prosecution to MKs, including the prime minister, with the lifting of such immunity requiring a Knesset majority. But he’s playing innocent.

31.03.2019 - 10:38 [ Israel Nachrichten ‏/ Twitter ]

Mandelblit wird im Fall 3000 (U-Boot-Affaire) nicht erneut Ermitteln

(29.1.2019)

31.03.2019 - 10:24 [ Hamodia.com ]

Report: Mandelblit Won’t Reopen Case 3000 Investigation

(29.3.2019)

Mandelblit wrapped up his investigation in Case 3000 months ago, concluding that Netanyahu was not involved in influence peddling in the sale of submarines by the German company ThyssenKrupp to Israel. Interest in the case was revived after state witness Miki Ganor last week recanted his testimony, that he had bribed several officials to agree to the purchase.

31.03.2019 - 10:18 [ Jerusalem Post ]

AG denies Netanyahu told him why Egypt submarine deal green-lighted

(24.3.2019)

The Jerusalem Post has also spoken to sources indicating that one reason Netanyahu might have gone along with the Egypt deal was that it was expected that Egypt would succeed in acquiring submarines. In that case, it was preferred that they acquire a design Israel was familiar with as opposed to a less familiar design from Japan, France, South Korea or others.

30.03.2019 - 16:09 [ Haaretz.com ‏/ Twitter ]

Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit is expected next month to indict Netanyahu, pending a hearing, on charges of bribery

(19.1.2019)

25.03.2019 - 05:23 [ Haaretz ]

Attorney General Contradicts Netanyahu’s Claim: I Was Not Told the ‚State Secret‘ Behind Sale of Submarine to Egypt

Netanyahu said Saturday that he hadn’t informed the security establishment because there are ‚things that even the defense minister and the chief of staff don’t need to know‘ but claimed he has told the AG – who now denies it

24.03.2019 - 10:43 [ Haaretz ]

On Live TV, Netanyahu Admits Approving Submarine Sale to Egypt Because of ‚State Secret‘

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied any financial connection to the sale of German submarines to Egypt on Saturday evening and said his reasons for approving the sale are „state secrets.“ In addition, Netanyahu admitted that the decision was made without the involvement of the defense minister and the chief of staff.

23.03.2019 - 16:22 [ Haaretz ]

Israel’s Submarine Affair Was Already Serious. Then Netanyahu Opened a Pandora’s Box

The stench in the submarine affair is colossal. According to many former defense establishment officials, not necessarily among the leaders of Kahol Lavan, this is one of the biggest corruption cases in the country’s history. Netanyahu opened yet another Pandora’s box when in his request for funding, it turned out he made huge profits from an investment in shares, the approval of which raises big questions, to say the least.

22.03.2019 - 13:40 [ Shoal Collective ‏/ Twitter ]

Anti-corruption protests in #Israel for seventh successive weekend. Slogans targeting Netanyahu include „Out with the corrupt!“ and „Being a pig isn’t kosher!“

(14.1.2018)

22.03.2019 - 13:35 [ New York Times ]

Promoted by Netanyahu, Israel’s Attorney General Must Now Scrutinize Him

(13.2.2018)

Critics suspect that Mr. Mandelblit, having previously served as Mr. Netanyahu’s cabinet secretary, and once widely considered a Netanyahu loyalist, remains beholden to the prime minister who promoted him.

20.03.2019 - 10:18 [ Haaretz ]

State’s Witness Arrested After Retracting Testimony in Israel’s Submarine Affair

In November, the police announced that it found sufficient evidence to charge Netanyahu’s lawyer, David Shimron, with facilitating bribery in the affair.

Shimron, who is also Netanyahu’s cousin, began representing Ganor in 2009. Police say Ganor used the family connection to Netanyahu to advance ThyssenKrupp’s interests in what became a deal worth nearly $2 billion for the company.