Israel intelligence chief says he plans to succeed Netanyahu
Trump proposal to declare Jerusalem as Israeli capital called ‘an American decision’
NEW YORK » Israel’s intelligence minister said Thursday he plans to succeed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who is embroiled in corruption scandals and a police investigation.
But Israel Katz said in an interview with The Associated Press that he hopes Netanyahu will be able to continue as primeminister, and “that the clouds that are hanging over his head now will pass.”
Israeli police have questioned Netanyahu six times over a pair of corruption scandals and one of his closest former aides has become a witness against him. Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and called the accusations a witch hunt orchestrated by a hostile media.
Police say they suspect Netanyahu of being involved in bribery, fraud and breach of trust. The scandals have yet to threaten his rule but have chipped away at his public approval ratings.
“I trust the law enforcement,” said Katz, an ally of Netanyahu. “Israel has a system and I hope that it will finish soon and that Netanyahu will have the possibility to continue to do the very important things that he is doing.”
“I’m planning to be after him, leader of the Likkud (party) and prime minister of Israel,” he said.
In the wide-ranging interview, Katz talked about President Donald Trump’s campaign promise to move the U. S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Trump is considering recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, a highly charged declaration that risks inflaming tensions across the Middle East, officials said Thursday.
Trump’s announcement would be a way to offset a likely decision delaying his campaign promise to move the U.S. Embassy to the holy city from Tel Aviv.
That announcement is expected next week and follows months of internal deliberations that grew particularly intense in recent days, according to officials familiar with the talks.
Katz, responding to the mater, said, “It’s an American decision. But he quickly added, “it’s time that United States will recognize Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people since 3,000 years as the capital of the state of Israel ... and after that to move the embassy.”
Katz said Trump has to keep his promise. “I’m optimistic. I’m optimistic this will happen,” he said.
Israel has controlled the western part of Jerusalem, home to most of Israel’s government institutions, since gaining independence in 1948. Its capture of east Jerusalem from Jordan in the 1967 and annexation of the holy city is not internationally recognized, and the Palestinians want east Jerusalemas the capital of their future independent state.
Moving the embassy risks infuriating the Palestinians and could inflame regional tensions, though Katz dismissed the prospect of violence if a move takes place.