‘Don’t worry,’ Netanyahu tells under-investigation prisons chief; Ben Gvir says charges are ‘baseless’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voices his support for prisons chief Kobi Yaakobi, currently under probe for ethical violations, during a filmed speech to prison guards earlier today.

“Kobi, don’t worry,” says the premier in a low voice while speaking to guards staffing Ayalon Prison’s high-security Rafeket Wing, receiving wide applause from the audience. “You are on the right path, you are displaying leadership,” he continues.

He toured the prison, located in the central city of Ramle, together with Yaakobi and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

Yaakobi faces possible criminal charges as of earlier this month, when Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara announced her intent to file an indictment against him, subject to a hearing.

Speaking after Netanyahu, Ben Gvir concurs with the premier, linking the prime minister’s ongoing corruption trials with Yaakobi’s case. “Just as they invented a case against you, Mr. Prime Minister, and are pursuing a baseless indictment against you, they are also pursuing Kobi,” he said.

“The deep state is not prepared to accept the head of a security agency who implements the policy of the elected leadership. They simply don’t understand what democracy is,” he added.

Yaakobi is suspected of informing indicted West Bank police officer Avishai Muallem of a covert probe into the latter’s alleged interference to stymie investigations into settler violence.

He will have an opportunity to present evidence in his defense to state prosecutors before they decide whether to formally charge him with breach of trust, fraud and obstructing an investigation.

רה"מ נתניהו לנציב שב"ס קובי יעקובי שמצוי תחת חקירות: "קובי, אל תדאג". pic.twitter.com/XXuNaNDjji

— ינון מגל (@YinonMagal) July 30, 2025