TEL AVIV: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused his leftist opponents and the country’s media of trying to oust his government by pressuring investigators to indict him “at any cost.”
Netanyahu, 67, has been questioned under caution by police in two cases. “Case 1000” deals with gifts given to him and his family by businessmen, while a second, “Case 2000,” is related to conversations he held with an Israeli publisher.
Police have also questioned his wife, Sara, over her alleged misuse of official funds. Israeli media said this week that the attorney-general was poised to issue an indictment against her.
“The media and the left, which serves it... contrive endless scandals, endless reports and endless headlines so that maybe, maybe something will stick,” he told a rally of his right-wing Likud party in a speech broadcast live on the three main Israeli television channels.
“They demand from the law-enforcement authorities: ‘give us something, doesn’t matter what’,” Netanyahu told supporters, who waved Israeli flags and chanted his nickname “Bibi, Bibi.”
“The left’s and the media’s ... aim is to put pressure, which is wrong, on the law enforcement authorities to bring an indictment at any cost, without any connection to the truth, without any connection to justice.”
Netanyahu, who last won an election in 2015, has weathered several scandals and police inquiries during his 11 years in office. His approval ratings are generally solid, putting him ahead of potential challengers.
The Israeli leader has described the din of criminal investigations around him as “background noise” and has dismissed speculation he will be forced to resign by saying simply on Facebook this week: “Won’t happen.”
He quipped in his speech that there were rumors that even his family dog, Kaia, would be called in for questioning.
Case 1,000 involves Netanyahu and family members receiving gifts on a regular basis from two businessmen. Israeli media have reported that the gifts included cigars and champagne.
Case 2,000 involves a deal Netanyahu allegedly discussed with the owner of one of Israel’s largest newspapers, Yedioth Ahronoth, for better coverage in return for curbs on competition from a free paper owned by US casino mogul Sheldon Adelson. The latter paper has long supported the prime minister.
Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing.
In his speech on Wednesday, Netanyahu also accused Palestinian officials of seeking his demise but said he would not yield to their demands for Israeli concessions in peace talks that have been frozen since 2014.
“My friends, they too will be disappointed, because it won’t happen,” he said.
Netanyahu accuses Israeli left, media of trying to oust him
Netanyahu accuses Israeli left, media of trying to oust him
Ramallah talks focus on border crossings
- The meeting discussed ways to upgrade infrastructure and facilities at the Karama crossing, particularly arrival halls and cargo and transport areas, automate procedures and services, strengthen staff capacities, and combat smuggling
RAMALLAH: Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa chaired a meeting at his office in Ramallah on Saturday to review developments at border crossings, including the Karama crossing in the West Bank and the Rafah crossing in the Gaza Strip, as well as ways to develop and upgrade the crossings.
The meeting focused on improving the management and governance system for Palestinian crossings to clearly define the roles, responsibilities, and tasks of the parties involved, thereby contributing to the national economy, commercial activity, and travel services.
Mustafa reiterated that the crossings issue is a priority at all levels, as it directly affects citizens.
He stressed the need to intensify engagement with all parties to extend operating hours for passenger and cargo movement, and to develop travel and cargo transport mechanisms.
The meeting also discussed ways to upgrade infrastructure and facilities at the Karama crossing, particularly arrival halls and cargo and transport areas, automate procedures and services, strengthen staff capacities, and combat smuggling.
These measures aim to improve services for citizens, facilitate travel procedures, and enhance readiness to address congestion and travel crises, especially during the Umrah and Hajj seasons and holidays.
Meanwhile, according to local sources, Israeli forces forced Kamal Saeed Shawaneh, a Palestinian owner of a marble factory from the town of Kafr Thulth, south of Qalqilya, to carry out the demolition of his industrial facility located east of the town, on Saturday.
The facility, built on an area of roughly 300 square meters, suffered material losses estimated at more than $26,000. Israeli authorities claimed that Shawaneh did not have a permit for the factory’s construction.
The sources added that Israeli forces threatened Shawahneh with heavy fines if he did not carry out the demolition, noting that he had previously received a stop-work order for the factory in 2018.
