Graft Inquiry Warns Netanyahu of Possible Harm From Its Conclusions

TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli state investigation into an alleged graft scandal involving the purchase of submarines and other warships from Germany said Monday it has sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning him that he could be harmed by its conclusions.

The inquiry, launched in 2022, is looking into an affair involving a $2 billion purchase of naval vessels from Germany’s Thyssenkrupp. A separate court proceeding into the case took testimony from the prime minister but he was not a suspect in the case.

The warning letter could lead to Netanyahu being seen as more deeply implicated in the affair. Netanyahu is on trial for corruption in three other separate cases and he denies all charges.

In a statement, Netanyahu said the submarine purchase was essential for Israel’s security needs.

In announcing the warning letter, the committee said its work so far had indicated there had been “deep disruption” in decision-making in a number of sensitive areas surrounding the submarine purchase that threatened the country’s security and harmed the country’s international ties and economic interests.

The committee did not detail the precise accusations against Netanyahu, but painted a picture of improper decision-making at multiple levels of government, the defense establishment and the military.

The state commission of inquiry has sweeping authority to investigate and summon witnesses, and its recommendations typically guide government policy.

The committee also sent warning letters to former Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, who has emerged as an outspoken critic of Netanyahu, and Yossi Cohen, Netanyahu’s former national security adviser.