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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.
Israeli protesters, wearing protective masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, carry a mock submarine during a demonstration against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the coastal city of Tel Aviv, on October 17, 2020. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

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