Police chief: Criticism on PM probes from right, left proves we’re even-handed

The head of the Israel Police on Friday said criticism from across the political spectrum about the police handling of the investigations into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signals the force is even-handed.

“I am happy that we are attacked from both the right and left,” he told reporters as he accompanied his grandson on the first day of the school year. “Otherwise someone might think that the police force is not legitimate. When we are attacked from both sides it is a sign that we are doing our job properly.”

The police commissioner also said he was proud of the individual investigators examining the corruption allegations against Netanyahu.

“I am pleased to say that we are doing the job and are reaching the truth,” he said. “We do this impartially. This means appointing good people, and I am proud of them.”

Netanyahu is currently being investigated in several cases. Case 1000 revolves around suspicions the prime minister and his wife Sara received illicit gifts from billionaire benefactors, most notably hundreds of thousands of shekels’ worth of cigars and champagne from Israeli-born Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan.

Netanyahu is also being investigated over his involvement in Case 2000, which involves a suspected illicit quid pro quo deal between Netanyahu and Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper publisher Arnon “Noni” Mozes that would have seen the prime minister hobble a rival daily, the Sheldon Adelson-backed Israel Hayom, in return for more favorable coverage from Yedioth.

The Netanyahus deny any wrongdoing.

As the ongoing corruption cases involving Netanyahu have developed, critics have panned Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit for his handling of the investigations, pointing to the attorney general’s previous role as Netanyahu’s cabinet secretary and accusing him of slow-walking the probes.

Weekly protests have been held near Mandeblit’s home for several months, during which activists called for the prime minister to be indicted.

Despite Netanyahu’s criticism of the protests, the rallies have grown in size in recent weeks amid developments in the corruption cases, and Mandelblit, the attorney general, said Tuesday they are entirely legitimate and safeguarded by freedom of expression.

Responding to the protesters’ claim that he is dragging his feet over the investigations, Mandelblit said on Tuesday there were “no short cuts” in a probe of this nature, and that it was being conducted properly and seriously.

Addressing the criminal investigations involving Netanyahu, Mandelblit said any decision to indict the prime minister in a pair of corruption cases will be based solely on the strength of the evidence and not political pressure.

“We will continue to act responsibly and decide only in light of the evidence,” he said. “This is the sole basis for our work, political background noise will not influence us.”

“It is not possible to give up on gathering all the evidence and analysis of all the documents. This is our obligation to the public, the public interest and the suspects — this is the precept of the rule of law,” he added.

“The only question that will be asked is whether there is a sufficient basis of evidence for filing an indictment. If there is a sufficient basis an indictment will be filed. If not, it will be shelved.”

The Likud party held a rally on Wednesday night in which Netanyahu made seething attacks against the press, accusing it of playing up the pair of corruption investigations against him in an effort to end his premiership.

“They don’t only despise us,” he said. “They despise something much deeper: They despise the choice of the people and they despise the democracy in whose name they protest.”

“They are doing everything possible to harm me and my wife because they think that if they topple me and her they will topple us, the Likud, the national camp — and to this end, all means are kosher,” he added.

Alexander Fulbright contributed to this report.