Netanyahu Approved Submarine Sales to Egypt, Sent Mossad to Oppose

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett agreed in September 2021 to establish a state inquiry commission into the "submarine affair," a decision prompted by a meeting with former security officials, including former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo. According to a new book by Eliad Shraga, chairman of the Movement for Quality of Government, Pardo revealed classified information to Bennett, alleging that Benjamin Netanyahu had secretly approved Germany's sale of advanced submarines to Egypt without the knowledge of Israel's security establishment. This move was perceived as a significant threat to national security.

Netanyahu allegedly gave his clandestine approval to the German shipyard ThyssenKrupp, which also builds Israel's submarines, while completely sidelining the IDF, the Ministry of Defense, and the Mossad. Simultaneously, he reportedly instructed these bodies to lobby against the sale at Chancellor Angela Merkel's office. Netanyahu also allegedly ordered the Mossad to actively work against the project, potentially endangering soldiers who were unaware of their prime minister's conflicting directives.

A source familiar with the details described Netanyahu's actions as those of an "arsonist firefighter," deeming the behavior unforgivable. Following Bennett's meeting, the inquiry commission, headed by retired judge Asher Grunis, was formed. In June, after hearing testimonies, the commission sent severe warning letters to five individuals, including Netanyahu. The commission concluded that Netanyahu's "active actions" endangered national security and harmed foreign relations, disrupting decision-making processes on critical security matters.

This revelation coincides with the arrival of Israel's sixth submarine, INS Drakon, in Haifa. The purchase of this submarine was subsidized by the German government, linked to the understanding that included Israel's non-objection to the Egyptian submarine deals. Former Director-General of the Ministry of Defense Dan Harel testified that Netanyahu pressured him to order a seventh submarine from ThyssenKrupp, against the IDF chief of staff's position, at a time when the military lacked basic funding for infantry combat vehicles.