Indictments Recommended in Israeli Scandal, Reports Say

Police have concluded that a top aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a political ally and Israel’s justice minister should face charges in an alleged influence-trading scandal, Israeli media reported Tuesday.

Israel TV reported that police had enough evidence to recommend that Netanyahu also be indicted but decided to let state prosecutors make their own recommendation concerning the premier.

A three-month police investigation looked into allegations that Netanyahu’s appointment of a little-known figure to the post of attorney general was part of a deal to win favorable treatment for a political ally, Aryeh Deri, who faced trial on corruption charges.

Justice Minister Tzachi Hanegbi appointed Roni Bar-On, his friend and mentor, as the attorney general in January, but Bar-On resigned a day later when a controversy arose over his qualifications.

Police won’t make their recommendations public, and they said it was up to the state attorney whether to act on them. Police questioned Netanyahu and initially warned that he could face charges in the case.

Netanyahu has denied knowing anything about a deal. He refused to comment on Tuesday’s reports.

Police said bribery charges should be filed against Deri, leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party that is a member of the ruling coalition, Israel TV reported.

Deri had threatened to pull his party’s support in a close Cabinet vote on Israel’s withdrawal from the West Bank city of Hebron unless Bar-On was appointed, Israel TV reported.

Police have recommended that Hanegbi be charged with fraud and breach of trust.

Hanegbi spoke with reporters in his office Tuesday while state prosecutor Edna Arbel, a few offices away, reviewed the police recommendation. She is expected to decide whether to file charges by next week, before the Passover holiday begins.

Channel 2 said that Netanyahu’s top political aide, Avigdor Lieberman, acted as a conduit in negotiations between Deri and Netanyahu over the Bar-On appointment and that police recommended Lieberman be charged with breach of public trust.

Deri, Hanegbi, Lieberman and Bar-On all have denied knowledge of a deal.