Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denies he had any prior knowledge of his long-time personal lawyer’s alleged involvement in a multi-billion shekel deal to purchase German submarines.
Netanyahu says he first learned of David Shimron’s involvement when Channel 10 asked for his response before airing a report on Tuesday revealing that Shimron serves as the representative of the German company trying to sell Israel the submarines.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s lawyer David Shimron. (Kobi Gideon/Flash90)
“Shimron never brought up submarines or ships or any other issue concerning his clients with the prime minister,” the Prime Minister’s Office says in a statement, adding that Shimron did not discuss the German client or any other client with Netanyahu. The PMO says that members of Netanyahu’s inner circles, including Shimron, “know not to discuss their [personal] business dealings with the prime minister.”
“The only consideration the prime minister had [in mulling the German deal] was strengthening Israel’s capabilities in regard to [obtaining] strategic vessels, essential to ensure [Israel’s] future,” the PMO says.
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