Netanyahu Accused of Endangering Operatives in Submarine Deal Cover-Up

Eliad Shraga, chairman of the Movement for Quality of Government, has released a book titled "Corruption in the Depths," which details allegations that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the sale of German submarines to Egypt while concealing this from top security officials, including the head of the Mossad. Shraga claims Netanyahu then orchestrated actions against the deal, allegedly endangering the lives of Mossad operatives.

According to Shraga, in 2010, Netanyahu initially agreed to the submarine sale despite security establishment opposition. However, following the 2011 Egyptian revolution and the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood, the security establishment flagged the deal as a potential disaster. Shraga alleges that Netanyahu presented himself to the security establishment as opposing the deal to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, but in reality, he secretly authorized Germany to proceed with construction and finalize agreements with Egypt, keeping this from his own security chiefs.

Shraga further claims that in 2014, Amos Gilad, then a senior defense official, learned from Merkel's foreign policy advisor that two additional submarines were approved for Egypt. Gilad, along with Moshe Ya'alon and Dan Harel, confronted Netanyahu, who denied giving such approval. Shraga stated that Netanyahu misled the Mossad, sending its agents on dangerous missions to investigate the submarine sale while he had already given his consent.

Shraga also recounted efforts to convince the "government of change" under Naftali Bennett to form an inquiry commission. He described Bennett's shocked reaction after a private meeting with former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo, which led to the commission's establishment. Shraga dismissed claims that Netanyahu received undisclosed benefits from Merkel regarding the submarines, asserting the only concession was a $160 million discount on a sixth submarine, and questioned the logic of Netanyahu withholding information from his top security officials while Egyptian counterparts were aware.

During his testimony to the inquiry committee, Shraga claims Netanyahu repeatedly responded with "I didn't know," "I don't remember," or deflected responsibility, leading Shraga to question his memory and fitness for office.