Israeli Commission Warned Netanyahu He Endangered State Security in Submarine Deal

A state commission of inquiry has warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his handling of a German submarine deal with Egypt endangered Israel's national security and harmed foreign relations. The commission found that Netanyahu approved the sale of four attack submarines to Egypt from Germany's Thyssenkrupp without consulting Israel's defense establishment, including the Defense Minister, the IDF, and the Mossad. Furthermore, the commission stated that Netanyahu concealed this approval from these bodies.

According to the commission's preliminary findings, Netanyahu also created conflicting channels by appearing to oppose the deal while having already approved it. This included allegedly instructing the Mossad to work against the transaction, a move that reportedly put operatives at risk. The commission's report, expected in January 2026, criticizes the "chaos" and lack of a guiding hand in handling the sale of allied weaponry to a third party, stating that strategic decisions must involve professional bodies to prevent one person from deciding alone.

The defense establishment had opposed the sale, arguing that Egypt should not receive submarines similar to Israel's. The commission highlighted that after October 7, a structured decision-making process is a "vital necessity." The report also notes that one of the submarines, the INS Drakon, received by Israel, was subsidized by Germany in exchange for Israel's agreement to the Egyptian sale.

Netanyahu's office has countered that the submarine purchase ensures Israel's security and that history will prove him right. The commission, however, clarified that it is not assessing the necessity of the submarines for Israel but rather the decision-making process. Journalist Ronen Bergman described the warning letter as one of the most severe ever issued against a public figure in Israel, as it alleges proactive actions contradicting Israel's security interests rather than mere negligence.

The commission's findings indicate that Netanyahu approved the sale twice through personal channels with then-Chancellor Angela Merkel, with these discussions going undocumented. Key figures like the Defense Minister, the IDF Chief of Staff, and the head of the Mossad were allegedly not informed. Former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo stated he learned of the approval from the media and had never encountered such concealment from senior security officials. The commission also found that Netanyahu and the then-head of the National Security Council concealed discussions with Germany from the Foreign Ministry.

In response to the warning letter, Netanyahu's office stated in 2024 that the submarine acquisition does not harm but rather ensures the state's security. The commission, however, emphasized its focus on the decision-making process, not the quantity of submarines needed. The preliminary findings are set to become final conclusions if Netanyahu does not present a defense. Hearings are scheduled to begin on November 1, five days after the upcoming elections.