clear

Creating new perspectives since 2009

Netanyahu’s lawyer could have received 20% cut in $1.5bn defence deal

July 31, 2017 at 12:55 pm

Submarine [Martín Otero/Wikipedia]

A state witness has told investigators that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s lawyer would have been paid $9 million if he ensured a submarine defence deal went ahead.

David Shimron, who is also Netanyahu’s cousin, is suspected of lobbying defence officials whilst also standing to personally profit from the deal, according to the Times of Israel.

Miki Ganor, a former agent for the German submarine company ThyssenKryupp, yesterday appeared to confirm suspicions after he told police that Shimron was to receive a 20 per cent share of Ganor’s own commission, in addition to legal fees.

The statement contradicts Shimron’s previous assurance that there was no conflict of interest in regards to his role in the case and that all of his actions were in accordance with the law.

Read: Netanyahu refused delivery of submarines to Morsi, agreed for Sisi

Ganor and Shimron are two of six defendants that were detained earlier this month on suspicion of fraud offenses, tax evasion and bribery.

The “submarine affair” pertains to Israel’s decision to buy three new submarine from ThyssenKrupp, the supplier of Israel’s existing five-strong, nuclear-capable fleet, and the additional purchase of four patrol ships. In total, the deal is estimated to be worth $1.5 billion.

Netanyahu himself is expected to testify as a witness at some point during court proceedings.

This is one of several high level corruption cases currently underway in Israel. Netanyahu has also been questioned as a suspect in two previous criminal cases; one involving gifts exchanged with prominent businessmen, and the other in regards to his attempts to bribe an Israeli newspaper in return for more positive media coverage.