The scandal involving the acquisition of submarines and other naval craft from German shipbuilder Thyssenkrupp in return for alleged kickbacks has been rocking Israel for over five years, and the end is nowhere in sight. On Jan. 23, following delays, arguments and various problems, the government voted to establish a commission of inquiry to examine the process of defense acquisitions as well as the approval by then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Germany to sell advanced subs to Egypt.
The inquiry is more bad news for Netanyahu, who Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit had previously cleared of all criminal suspicions in the submarine affair. The commission will be empowered to compel Netanyahu to testify, and his testimony could prompt an in-depth investigation of his actions in this complex affair. Perjury would be considered an aggravating factor and is the last thing Netanyahu needs as he tries to negotiate a plea deal in his corruption trial involving unrelated charges.
