Israeli Submarine Purchase Investigation Panel Issues Warning Letter Against Prime Minister Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Source: GPO/Amos Ben Gershom)

JAKARTA - An Israeli commission investigating alleged violations in the purchase of submarines and missile ships by the government from Germany issued a warning to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

The panel notified PM Netanyahu, based on the evidence collected so far, it is certain that he used his post as prime minister between 2009 and 2016 to approve the purchase without proper legal proceedings.

"By doing so, he (PM Netanyahu) endangers state security and harms foreign relations and the economic interests of the country of Israel," the panel said in a written decision published on Monday.

PM Netanyahu responded by saying the submarine was critical to Israel's security "in ensuring its existence against Iran, which is trying to destroy us".

"History will prove Prime Minister Netanyahu is also right on this issue and make the right decision for Israel's security," a statement from his office said.

The commission, formed under the previous administration in 2022, said it would soon publish undisclosed parts of the evidence collected during an investigation into the deal.

In addition to PM Netanyahu, the panel also issued a warning letter against former naval commander Admiral Ram Rothberg, former defense minister Moshe Ya'alon, former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen and former National Security Council employee Avner Simchoni in the same case, quoted from The Times of Israel.

It said Israel bought the ships from German shipbuilder Thysenkrupp in a deal worth US$2 billion that has been carefully monitored.