Netanyahu suspected of obstructing Bezeq probe, report says

In his upcoming police interrogation session, Netanyahu will be asked about suspicions that he tried to obstruct one of the investigations against him, Hadashot TV news reports, citing judicial sources.

The probe, so-called Case 4000, involves suspicions that Netanyahu advanced policies benefiting a media tycoon in exchange for fawning media coverage.

Today’s report says police suspect that Netanyahu instructed Nir Hefetz, his former media adviser who later turned state’s witness, to delete incriminating text messages.

Officers suspect that members of Netanyahu’s inner circle, including his wife, Sara, and son Yair, were in direct contact with the tycoon, Bezeq majority shareholder Shaul Elovitch, to coordinate coverage.

A second report, on Channel 10 news, says that police are in possession of text messages, sent by Yair Netanyahu to Elovitch, complaining about the coverage on Elovitch’s Walla news site.

The younger Netanyahu will likely be interrogated as a suspect in the near future, the report says. His mother has already been questioned under caution.

In a response to Hadashot, Netanyahu’s office says, “Leaking materials from the investigation, even if they are false accusations, is the real attempt to obstruct the investigation. The prime minister always comported himself lawfully.”

Netanyahu and his wife were slated to be questioned today, but the interrogations were put off to the weekend after the prime minister contracted strep throat.