Police Finish Probe Into Diplomatic Passport Scandal, Prosecutors Seek Files

Israel Police have completed their investigation into the diplomatic passport affair and notified the State Attorney’s Office that the fact-finding stage is over. Prosecutors have now asked to receive the full case materials, the investigative summary, and police recommendations so they can decide how to proceed.

At the center of the case is suspicion that diplomatic passports were issued in violation of the criteria set by the Foreign Ministry during the period when Eli Cohen served as foreign minister. Cohen was questioned under caution on suspicion of breach of trust.

The investigation also examined the issuance of a diplomatic passport to Yair Netanyahu, the prime minister’s son. Investigators suspect the passport was granted contrary to standard procedures. Yair Netanyahu previously gave testimony in a non-suspect interview.

The probe was opened by the Lahav 433 serious crimes unit after reports in Haaretz alleged that, during Cohen’s tenure, diplomatic passports were issued to people who were not automatically entitled to them. In some cases, ministry professionals initially rejected the requests, but the passports were later approved. After reviewing the file, prosecutors are expected to decide whether to adopt the police recommendations and whether there is enough evidence to file indictments against any of those involved.