Netanyahu Questioned Over Three Corruption Cases

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a suspect in two cases being investigated. Photograph: Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a suspect in two cases being investigated. Photograph: Reuters
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Netanyahu Questioned Over Three Corruption Cases

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a suspect in two cases being investigated. Photograph: Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a suspect in two cases being investigated. Photograph: Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was interrogated by the Israeli police in corruption-related matters -- investigations majorly focused on cases known as 1000 and 2000.

The police waited for the return of Netanyahu from London in order to investigate him.

In case 1000, police suspect that Netanyahu and his wife received bribes including a cigar and champagne worth ten thousand dollars from businessmen to facilitate their commercial activities.

As for case 2000, it is related to a barter between Netanyahu and Yedioth Ahronoth on ceasing the work of a competitor newspaper, and Yedioth Ahronoth would in return provide a better coverage.

The case of submarines holds the name of “case 3000” – a corruption deal to purchase navy vehicles from Germany and it is expected to lead to a list of hight-rank suspects.

The police will refer investigation results to the Israeli government Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit who recommended investigating Netanyahu for the fifth time. They announced in a document presented to the court last August that Netanyahu is a suspect of receiving bribes and betraying trust.

However, Netanyahu's office denied this and accused opposing parties of attempts to put him out for political motives.

In a step that seems a retaliation, Israeli legislators close to Netanyahu caused chaos as they announced their will to demand a salary raise for Netanyahu and a salary drop for head of Israeli police Roni Alsheikh who insists on interrogating Netanyahu.

Analysts and politicians interpreted the step as another initiative to raise a debate with Alsheikh, in light of the probe with Netanyahu. Likud deputies criticized the initiative, describing it as unacceptable.



Before the 'Big Beautiful Breakup': Musk and Trump's Bromance

(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on June 03, 2025 shows Elon Musk looks and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025. (Photo by Allison ROBBERT / AFP)
(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on June 03, 2025 shows Elon Musk looks and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025. (Photo by Allison ROBBERT / AFP)
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Before the 'Big Beautiful Breakup': Musk and Trump's Bromance

(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on June 03, 2025 shows Elon Musk looks and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025. (Photo by Allison ROBBERT / AFP)
(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on June 03, 2025 shows Elon Musk looks and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025. (Photo by Allison ROBBERT / AFP)

It may have been one of the most predictable break-ups in history. But for a few brief months US President Donald Trump and tech tycoon Elon Musk were inseparable.

Here are some key moments before the marriage of two huge egos imploded over Musk's criticisms of Trump's "big, beautiful" budget mega-bill.

- Jumping on stage -

The world's richest man literally jumped for joy when he first stumped for Republican candidate Trump on the campaign trail on October, 5 2024.

The South African-born Musk leapt in the air like one of his Space X rockets as he joined Trump on stage in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump escaped an assassination attempt three months earlier, said AFP.

"As you can see, I'm not just MAGA, I'm dark MAGA," Trump told the crowd, tipping his all-black "Make America Great Again" hat.

He would go on to become the campaign's biggest donor, spending nearly $300 million.

'Lil' X'

Trump sprung a surprise on reporters when he brought Musk into the Oval Office for his first appearance before the media since his arrival in Washington.

Even more surprising was that Musk brought his young son, named X Æ A-Xii but more widely known as "Lil' X" -- later putting him on his shoulders.

"This is X and he's a great guy," said Trump, as the boy picked his nose while his father boasted about his cost-cutting exploits with the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Tensions? What tensions?

There were already rumors of tensions between the hard-charging Musk and other members of Trump's administration when the tycoon attended his first cabinet meeting in February.

But Trump moved to squish any suggestions of trouble in paradise. "Anybody unhappy with Elon? If they are, we'll throw 'em out of here," said Trump, jumping in after AFP asked Musk whether the reports of strains were true.

The rest of the cabinet then erupted into a round of applause for Musk -- just as they would do three months later when it emerged he was stepping back from the role.

At another meeting, Musk proudly wore a "Trump was right about everything" baseball hat.

Sleepovers

The president and the tech magnate seemed to spend most of their time together in the first feverish weeks of Trump's return to power.

They traveled together on Air Force One and his Marine One helicopter. Musk slept over at the White House, where he boasted of once eating a whole tub of ice cream.

In a display of macho bonding, they also attended mixed martial arts fights together.

Musk meanwhile proclaimed his loyalty on his social media platform, X. He declared himself the "First Buddy" and said: "I love @realDonaldTrump as much as a straight man can love another man."

Tesla showroom

Musk's Tesla car company took a major hit from his bromance with Trump. Trump, knowing that a threat to Musk's businesses could drive him out of his role, decided to help out.

The president turned the White House South Portico into a pop-up Tesla showroom for Musk, with a Cybertruck and a Model S parked outside. Trump even said he had purchased one.

Two of Trump's press aides were seen posing in the gleaming red car as recently as last week.

After the spectacular break up it was still sitting in the White House parking lot on Thursday.