Hostility at the Northern Front: A Distraction Tactic by Israel’s Netanyahu?

Israeli police on Tuesday recommended charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in two separate corruption cases.

After the month-long investigation, the police handed over their recommendation to Israel's Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who will decide whether to press charges against the prime minister, reported Xinhua.

The police recommendation comes in the background of accusations that the recent flare-up at its Northern Border with Syria is a diversion tactic from corruption investigations.

The War Gamble in the North

Recently a lawmaker said that Netanyahu is seeking to instigate a regional war to distract attention from an ongoing investigation into his suspicious corrupt practices.

Aida Touma-Sliman from the Joint List, which comprises Arab representatives at the Israeli parliament Knesset, said that “Netanyahu and his regime are submerged up to their necks in corruption affairs, on the eve of the publication of the [police] recommendations.”

“Netanyahu is willing to instigate a regional war in which the peoples of the region will pay a heavy price just for his political survival,” she added.

On Saturday, Israel had almost sparked a war in the region, as its bombing mission in Syria allegedly against Iranian assets was met with a heavy response from Syrian air defense batteries. An Israeli F-16 was shot down, bringing the two countries at the verge of a larger conflict.

In an opinion piece, “Netanyahu Needs a War. He Needs It to Be With Iran. And He Needs It Soon.” Bradley Burston had argued that Netanyahu has ample reasons to start a war. Firstly, he notes that current political reality in the country is against Netanyahu.

“He’s desperate now because he’s losing ground fast in the latest opinion polls.”

Secondly, with the political tide against him, and as he is “obsessed by his place in history.” Burston writes, “Netanyahu still has no legacy beyond the number of all those, many years in power.”

And third, war is the best distraction. “He’s desperate because police detectives and investigative journalists are closing in on him.”

Sufficient Evidence: Police

In a formal statement, the police said that they have concluded that there is "sufficient evidence" against Netanyahu in the cases.

In the first case, dubbed by the police "case 1000," Netanyahu allegedly accepted bribery from an Israeli businessman and Hollywood tycoon Arnon Milchan and an Australian businessman, James Packer.

The police said between 2007 and 2016, Netanyahu and his family received expensive cigars, champagne and jewellery worth about a million shekels (approximately $282,800).

Following his re-election as Prime Minister in 2009, "the scope and frequency of the transfer of goods increased significantly", the police statement said.

In return for the goods, Netanyahu allegedly approached US officials and asked them to extend Milchan's visa to the US. Milchan, the producer of films including "Fight Club", "Gone Girl" and "The Revenant", should face bribery charges, the police said.

Netanyahu also acted to promote a law that gives tax exemption for returning Israeli residents who were living abroad for over 10 years, known as the "Milchan Bill", and helped Milchan to promote his investment in the Israeli media.

In another case, dubbed "case 2000", Netanyahu allegedly received bribes from Arnon Mozes, the publisher of Yedioth Aharonoth, one of Israel's largest newspapers.

The police said Netanyahu and Mozes held talks over an "exchange deal" in which the Israeli leader would receive favourable coverage in Yediot Aharonot in return for promoting a law and other measures that would limit the distribution of Israel Hayom, Yedioth's main rival.

Netanyahu Calls Charges as Baseless

Speaking on Israeli television soon after the allegations came to light on Tuesday, Netanyahu branded them "baseless" and pledged to continue as the country's leader, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

"Over the years, I have been the subject of at least 15 inquiries and investigations. Some have ended with thunderous police recommendations like those of tonight. All of those attempts resulted in nothing, and this time again they will come to nothing," he said.

"I will continue to lead Israel responsibly and faithfully for as long as you, the citizens of Israel, choose me to lead you," the 68-year-old said.

Israel's centre-left opposition alliance, the Zionist Union, called on Netanyahu to resign. But members of his right-wing Likud party defended him.

Tourism Minister Yariv Levin called the police statement a "despicable move" to "carry out a government coup".

A final decision on whether Netanyahu should face charges will come down to the Attorney General's office. A decision could take months to reach.

(with inputs from IANS)