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Benjamin Netanyahu
Photo: Amit Shabi

Netanyahu's row with police stirs up political storm

Coalition ministers and MKs pick sides in the dispute between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the police over leaks from the investigations against him, pouring oil on a fire the police has been trying to put out since August.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's accusations against the Israel Police over leaks from the investigations against him have stirred up a political storm, as coalition ministers and MK's on both sides of the aisle, with some coalition members coming out against the premier.

 

 

Kulanu MK Merav Ben-Ari and MK Roy Folkman, both members in the coalition, joined in on the police's denunciation of the accusations Netanyahu leveled against it.

 

"How are the tens of thousands of policemen supposed to feel about the constant attacks on their work? Public trust is the most difficult part of the legal system, and responsible leadership should strengthen it," Folkman tweeted.

 

MK Roy Folkman (R) and MK Merav Ben Ari (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky, Yuval Hen)
MK Roy Folkman (R) and MK Merav Ben Ari (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky, Yuval Hen)

"Mr. Prime Minister, the problem is not with the police commissioner—who you chose—or with police investigators who carry out their duties, or with leaks from investigations. The problem is with you," Ben-Ari tweeted.

 

Likud MK Nava Boker came out in Netanyahu's defense, attacking Ben-Ari for her comments.

 

"Merav apologize or resign! Your words are a perfect example of a fifth column, you are the opposition within a coalition. You'd better reconsider your position. "

 

In a tongue-in-cheek reply, Ben-Ari answered Boker with a GIF of a parrot with a caption that read: "Deal with it."

 

 

Meanwhile, Minister of Science, Technology and Space Ofir Akunis (Likud) shifted blame to the Left, claiming Netanyahu's comments were twisted to suit their agenda.

 

"There is no campaign against the police. There is, however, a campaign of politicians on the Left who say there is a campaign against the police," Akunis said, claiming that Netanyahu's comments were just "a very clear statement that leaks from the investigations are wrong."

 

"Every person is equal before the law, but tendentious leaks are unacceptable," he added. "I call on the (police) commissioner to implement his own policy regarding leaks and recommendations (on indictment). People should practice what they preach, as the police commissioner must do."

 

Ofir Akunis (L) and Nava Boker (Photo: Marc Israel Sellem, Motti Kimchi)
Ofir Akunis (L) and Nava Boker (Photo: Marc Israel Sellem, Motti Kimchi)

 

Construction Minister Yoav Galant called to remain neutral and stick to the facts.

 

"In the State of Israel, there are two things that need to be preserved; one is the presumption of innocence of all who are being investigated, and the second is the independence of the investigative bodies," Galant said. "In the background, of course, there is the media and politics, and everyone plays in his field. I do not get involved in that. The rest is less relevant. The significant things are what is happening and what isn't. Let things pass, these are meaningless things. What counts is the facts."

 

Yoav Galant  (Photo: Miriam Zachi)
Yoav Galant (Photo: Miriam Zachi)

 

Netanyahu was unhappy with reports the police intends to continue investigating both cases in which he is suspected of bribery: namely, the investigation into the illicit gifts he allegedly received from rich donors (also known as Case 1000), and his talks with Yedioth Ahronoth owner Arnon Mozes on gaining more favorable coverage in return for promoting legislation against Yedioth's rival newspaper Israel Hayom (also known as Case 2000).

 

According to Channel 2 News, police investigators intend to question Netanyahu again, some time over the next two weeks. Netanyahu will also reportedly be required to testify in the submarines affair (also known as Case 3000)—in which he is currently not a suspect—at a later date.

 

"When Police Commissioner Alsheikh started his term, he made two important decisions: that there would be no more leaks from police investigations, and that the police will not make recommendations (on indictment) anymore," Netanyahu said on Saturday night.

 

"Ever since political advisor Lior Horev was appointed as an external advisor to the police—at a cost of millions (of shekels) at the expense of the taxpayer and without a tender—the illegal leaks became a tsunami and the decision not to make recommendations is as if it never happened."

 

Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh (R) and Netanyahu (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky, Marc Israel Sellem)
Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh (R) and Netanyahu (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky, Marc Israel Sellem)

 

"The Israel Police is doing its work in accordance with the law and the state, and we will not be dragged into baseless attacks designed to disrupt the work of the police and undermine the legitimacy of the rule of law," a police spokesperson said Saturday night in response to Netanyahu's allegations.

 

Political Advisor Lior Horev commented that the reasons behind Netanyahu's allegations were obvious.

 

"I wasn't hired to be a commentator on the prime minister's posts, I do my work professionally and responsibly," Horev said, adding that "it is clear to everyone the reason for the timing of his accusations and both his direct and covert objectives (for making them)."

 

Arnon Mozes is the publisher and owner of Yedioth Ahronoth Group, which includes Ynet and Ynetnews.

 


פרסום ראשון: 10.15.17, 12:38
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