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Attorney General orders investigation into controversial submarine deal
Israel’s Attorney General has asked police to investigate the purchase of three German submarines and related allegations that the deal was influenced by the business interests of the Prime Minister’s lawyer, David Shimron.
A statement issued by the Justice Ministry said that following “further consultation meetings” yesterday, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit “decided to instruct the government to conduct an investigation led by the Israel Police on the different aspects of the affair”.
A criminal investigation was initially thought to be unlikely, but the statement explained that the decision had been taken following “new information received by the police today, as well as other developments on the matter”. Media reports suggest that the decision was prompted by new details concerning a bribery case against former-Deputy Head of the National Security Council, Avriel Bar-Yosef.
Channel Ten reported earlier this week that e-mail evidence emerged that Shimron asked the Defence Ministry to cancel the open tender process and therefore favour the German manufacturer he represents. The correspondence also indicates that Netanyahu intervened in the matter.
Shimron welcomed the Attorney General’s investigation saying: “I am certain that after things are examined by an objective and professional authority, it will become clear, once and for all, that my actions were without reproach.”
The controversy erupted last week when media reports claimed Netanyahu’s Government went ahead with the submarine purchase, despite opposition from the IDF and former Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon. Netanyahu has insisted that Israel’s long-term security was the “only consideration” for the purchase.
Shimron helped negotiate the deal, but also represents Miki Ganor, who is the Israeli representative of the German manufacturer of the submarines, and has been a board member of one of Ganor’s companies.
Opposition leaders have called for a criminal investigation into the affair. The Knesset yesterday rejected an opposition motion to establish a parliamentary investigative committee.