Israel's police chiefs to recommend indicting Netanyahu: Reports

Israel’s police chiefs will recommend indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.

According to the Times of Israel and Ynet news, Police Commissioner Roni Alsheich and other police chiefs “are in unanimous agreement that there is sufficient evidence to indict Netanyahu for bribe taking in Case 1,000 or the so-called ‘gifts affair’.”

Netanyahu is under investigation in three corruption cases, which have been dubbed case 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 by police.

The first case, 1,000, revolves around gifts from wealthy supporters including Australian billionaire James Packer.

The second case is concerned with suspicions that Netanyahu discussed a secret deal to help scale down the circulation of Israel Hayom newspaper in exchange for more favourable coverage in rival publication Yediot Aharonot.

The third case centres on fraudulent purchases of German submarines in a $1.5bn deal.

Netanyahu has denied all charges.

In a Facebook video posted on Wednesday, Netanyahu pleaded his innocence, saying “there won’t be anything”.

“At the end of the day, the legal entities will also reach this simple truth: there is nothing,” he said.

Even if eventually indicted, Netanyahu would not be obliged by law to resign.