BICOM

Israel’s Prime Minister was questioned by police yesterday for the fourth time over his alleged involvement in several criminal investigations.

Officers from the police’s Lahav 443, anti-corruption unit, arrived at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence in Jerusalem late afternoon and reportedly stayed for more than four hours. It has been reported that the questioning was eventually interrupted by a phone call from US President Donald Trump.

Netanyahu is being questioned as part of two criminal investigations. The first, known as “Case 1,000,” involves the alleged receipt of expensive gifts by Netanyahu and his family from prominent wealthy business figures, which include Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan. He is said to have alleged to police that Netanyahu and his family requested expensive cigars and champagne. Australian billionaire James Packer’s relationship with Netanyahu is also thought to be part of the investigation.

The second investigation, dubbed “Case 2,000,” centres on taped conversations between Netanyahu and Yediot Ahronot publisher Arnon Mozes. The tapes reportedly indicate an alleged quid pro quo deal, which would have seen Netanyahu support a bill to limit the circulation of a rival in return for more positive coverage.

Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in either affair, saying “there will be nothing, because there is nothing”.

Yesterday, Israel Police Commissioner, Roni Alsheich, indicated that the investigations are winding down and that they may come to an end “within a number of weeks”.

Several politicians have been critical of the Prime Minister, in light of the investigations. Zionist Union MK Erel Margalit told the Financial Times that Netanyahu “is losing any moral grounds… at the head of a democratic state” by living “like an oligarch”.

Likud MK Avi Dichter said over the weekend: “Whoever tells you the Prime Minister can act without disruption and distraction while being investigated, is not telling the truth.”