Knesset speaker disqualifies vote to probe Netanyahu in submarine affair
Israel’s opposition lawmakers are furious over Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein's decision to nullify a vote to probe the prime minister in the notorious submarine affair.
Knesset speaker Yariv Levin nullifed the results of a vote on forming a parliamentary inquiry into a major corruption scandal known as the submarine affair, provoking strong condemnation from opposition lawmakers. After the decision, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered another vote be held, but the opposition decided to boycott the second vote, and the proposal was rejected.
Proposals to probe the submarine affair have surfaced more than once. Several associates of Netanyahu have been investigated in relation to the affair, which concerns Israel's purchase of submarines and war ships from German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp. Some of those investigated had already been indicted for corruption and bribery in the affair dubbed Case 3,000, including Netanyahu’s personal lawyer and cousin David Shimron.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit stressed on more than one occasion that Netanyahu was not considered a suspect. The state prosecution said as much again last Sunday, telling the High Court it believes there was not sufficient justification for opening a criminal probe against Netanyahu in that affair or in another concerning stock trades.
That being said, many in Israel feel that investigation did not go deep enough into Netanyahu's links to the scandal. On Oct. 13, hundreds of protesters formed vehicle convoys from the south and the north of Israel toward Jerusalem, their cars bearing makeshift submarines.
