PM to be questioned by police in ‘Bezeq affair,’

Police will reportedly question Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his official residence in Jerusalem on Friday over his involvement in the “Bezeq affair,” otherwise known as Case 4000, according to reports.

Case 4000 is an investigation into the relationship between Netanyahu and Bezeq’s controlling shareholder, Shaul Elovitch, who also owns the Walla! News website. Police suspect that Netanyahu acted to benefit Bezeq in return for favorable coverage in Walla.

Reports hold that Netanyahu will also testify in Case 3000 (the “submarines affair”), although he is not a suspect in the case.

Case 3000 involves a police investigation into Israel’s purchase of German-made naval vessels.

In a discussion at the Knesset last week, Israel Police Commissioner Insp.-Gen. Roni Alsheich explained why told a Keshet interviewer that the prime minister is expected to be questioned in the case.

“There is no option that in a case like the ‘submarines affair’ we would not hear the version of all those involved,” Alsheich said. “When I say ‘involved,’ I mean those who were involved in decision-making when submarines were purchased.”

“This is why, when we were asked two to three months ago if the prime minister will be giving his testimony, I said, ‘Of course.’ Would you imagine a situation in which the prime minister won’t be questioned? It doesn’t mean that he would be questioned under caution or that he is a suspect,” Alsheich said. He added that the decision would be made when to summon the prime minister based solely on its benefit to the case.

As part of the Case 4000 investigation, police on Sunday also arrested media adviser Eli Kamir, whose remand was extended until Thursday.

Kamir is suspected of mediating bribes, fraud, breach of trust and other offenses, according to Maariv.