Israel’s Netanyahu May Be Probed by Police over Fraud Allegations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu. (AFP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu. (AFP)
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Israel’s Netanyahu May Be Probed by Police over Fraud Allegations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu. (AFP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu. (AFP)

Israeli police may interrogate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu for the first time as part of two corruption probes, local media reported on Sunday.

In one of the cases, the PM is suspected of having illegally received hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gifts from wealthy figures, including Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan.

A long-time friend of Netanyahu, Milchan was questioned in September.

The second corruption is examining whether Netanyahu had struck a secret deal with the owner of the Yedioth Ahronoth daily in order to receive favorable media coverage.

Netanyahu has slammed all the allegations against him, saying they are aimed at ousting him from power.

If charged, he would come under heavy pressure to resign or could call an election to test whether he still had a mandate.

On Friday, two of the PM’s closest allies initiated legislation in what opponents say is a rearguard action to try to shield him from the corruption investigation.

One of the draft-laws would bar police from providing prosecutors with the investigators’ conclusions on whether charges should be brought against suspects. The second, known as the “French Law” because of similarities with legislation in France, would delay any investigation of a prime minister until he or she leaves office.

Netanyahu, a right-wing leader now in his fourth term, has said he has no interest in promoting personal legislation, but he has not ordered his coalition head, David Bitan and his co-sponsor of the bills, David Amsalem, to withdraw the bills.



Iran Nuclear Program a Threat to Israel and Europe, Says French FM as Araghchi Calls it a 'Right'

 Huge smoke rises up from an oil facility facility after it appeared to have been hit by an Israeli strike Saturday, in southern Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (AP)
Huge smoke rises up from an oil facility facility after it appeared to have been hit by an Israeli strike Saturday, in southern Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (AP)
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Iran Nuclear Program a Threat to Israel and Europe, Says French FM as Araghchi Calls it a 'Right'

 Huge smoke rises up from an oil facility facility after it appeared to have been hit by an Israeli strike Saturday, in southern Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (AP)
Huge smoke rises up from an oil facility facility after it appeared to have been hit by an Israeli strike Saturday, in southern Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (AP)

Tehran's nuclear program is a threat for the security of Israel and of Europe and diplomacy is the only way to avoid an escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Sunday.

"The Iranian nuclear program is an existential threat for the security of Israel and beyond the security of Europe. We always said the best way to prevent that threat, to contain it, remains diplomacy," Barrot told RTL radio.

Germany, France and Britain are ready to hold immediate talks with Iran over Tehran's nuclear program in an effort to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said earlier.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that Israel's attack on his country this week sought to "derail" nuclear talks with the United States.

"It is entirely clear that the Israeli regime does not want any agreement on the nuclear issue. It does not want negotiations and does not seek diplomacy," Araghchi told foreign diplomats, saying the attack launched on Friday was an "attempt to undermine diplomacy and derail negotiations".

"We are prepared for any agreement aimed at ensuring Iran does not pursue nuclear weapons," he stated, adding that Tehran would not accept any deal that "deprives Iran of its nuclear rights".