Current, former liaisons to Palestinians testify in sub affair — report
Yoav Mordechai, Eitan Dangot said to provide info on allegations against PM adviser Yitzhak Molcho, and his alleged efforts on behalf of German company ThyssenKrupp
Israel’s current and former chief liaisons to the Palestinians recently gave testimony in the so-called submarine affair, Channel 10 reported Thursday, over allegations one of the suspects sought to advance construction of a wastewater treatment facility in the Gaza Strip.
Last week Hadashot TV news reported that police are planning to recommend indictments against the five main suspects in Case 3000, including two close advisers to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — David Shimron and Yitzhak Molcho — and the premier’s former bureau chief, David Sharan.
The three, as well as the former commander of the Israeli Navy Eliezer Marom and former National Security Council deputy head Avriel Bar-Yosef, are suspected of corruption in Israel’s purchase of naval vessels from German shipbuilding company ThyssenKrupp.
The investigation has focused on suspicions that state officials were paid bribes to influence a decision to purchase four patrol boats and three Dolphin-class submarines costing a total of 2 billion euros from ThyssenKrupp, despite opposition to the deal from the Defense Ministry.
Molcho is suspected of having tried to push the potentially illicit deals during diplomatic trips on behalf of the prime minister abroad.
Among the allegations, police suspect Molcho — as part of the sub deal — was asked by ThyssenKrupp to help it secure a water treatment contract in Gaza.
Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai reportedly told police that Molcho had not spoken to him about advancing the project.
However, his predecessor Eitan Dangot did recount holding conversations on the matter, according to Channel 10.
Netanyahu in not a suspect in what is known as Case 3000, though he remains under criminal investigation in two other corruption probes.
Raoul Wootliff contributed to this report.
