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Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz were involved in a war of words yesterday as Netanyahu repeated claims about Iran hacking Gantz’s phone and Gantz attacked Netanyahu over his involvement in Case 3000, an allegedly corrupt submarine deal.

Speaking in Tel Aviv at a meeting of his party’s candidates, Gantz said: “At issue is the most important subject – people who are close to the governing establishment are involved in a grave corruption affair.” He added: “When we make it to government, we’ll initiate an investigation of this issue, but even until then we will continue to demand that this issue be examined without delay”.

Moshe Yaalon, former defence minister under Netanyahu and now third on Gantz’s Blue and White party list, said the affair might constitute “treason”. Speaking to Kan Radio Yaalon said: “this is the most severe corruption affair since the state was established… This issue is so important that it might even go as far as treason”.

Netanyahu said in response: “Gantz and Lapid have continued their desperate attempt to cast Israel as failed and without achievements. The public is smart and the public knows the truth about our tremendous successes”. Netanyahu dismissed the allegations surrounding Case 3000, noting that an investigation cleared him of wrongdoing which: “Unequivocally established that my decisions were impeccable and that all of them were made for the sake of Israel’s security”.

Netanyahu continued: “There isn’t anything new here except one thing: Lapid and Gantz’s panic”. He said the reason for this panic was because: “Iran hacked Gantz’s phone and retrieved sensitive material from it”, and asked: “Benny Gantz, “What are you hiding from the Israeli public? What material do the Iranians have on you? Why didn’t you tell your partners in your party when you were informed by the Shin Bet… and above all, how are you going to stand as prime minister up to Iran, our number one enemy, when Iran has sensitive material on you?”

The Blue and White party asked Netanyahu: “Why did you receive 16 million shekels from a company that trades with the manufacturer of the submarines and why did you hide that from the public?”

According to a new poll published by Channel 13 news, the Blue and White party has reestablished a narrow lead over Likud. Blue and White are predicted to win 31 seats, Likud 29 seats; Channel 12 predicted that Blue and White will win 32 seats and Likud 27 seats.