Police complete probe of ex-FM over diplomatic passports for PM’s son, Likud mayors; case passed to prosecutors

By Charlie Summers

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17 June 2026, 11:57 am

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Energy Minister Eli Cohen speaks during an Economic Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on February 18, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Police announce they have completed an investigation into Energy Minister Eli Cohen, who was suspected of illegally issuing diplomatic passports to Likud mayors and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s son, Yair.

The case, led by investigators in the Lahav 433 major crimes unit, has been passed to the State Attorney’s Office for potential prosecution.

Cohen, who served as foreign minister at the time of the alleged offenses, was questioned in September alongside other Foreign Ministry officials.

The Likud minister has denied illicitly granting passports to his political allies, saying the passports were given to several mayors “in accordance with ministry procedures” due to their “international activities.”