Israeli ministers support Netanyahu over corruption probes

Right wing Israeli ministers voiced their support on Sunday for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after threats from Coalition Chairman David Bitan MK regarding corruption probes, local media reported. According to Ynet News, Netanyahu’s former chief of staff and close confidant Ari Harow signed a state witness agreement on Friday regarding what are known as Case 1000 and Case 2000, further implicating the prime minister.

“Israel needs steadfastness and I am committed to preserving the government,” said Education Minister Naftali Bennett afterwards. “The PM is closer to being innocent. I hope that the investigation ends without an indictment.”

The leader of the Jewish Home Party added that the right-wing government is “important” for the security of Israel. “We will continue until the next election, which I hope will be held at its scheduled time. Israelis see us the national leadership of Israel. They expect us to act responsibly.”

Read: Netanyahu is a suspect in bribery and fraud case

Meanwhile, a number of ministers from his own party, Likud, also voiced their support for Netanyahu. Yisrael Katz, Yuval Steinitz and Ofir Akunis, as well as Deputy Minister Tzipi Hotovely, have all posted support messages on their Facebook pages.

Ministers who were “on the fence” on this issue, explained one Likud official, have now realised which way the wind is blowing from the chatter on social media, and so have “rushed to jump on the support bandwagon.” He added that some of the messages of support were expressed “out of internal party considerations.”