Netanyahu, Ex-Officials Summoned to Testify in Submarine Affair Probe
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
The state commission of inquiry into naval vessels has summoned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, former President Reuven Rivlin, and former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon to testify in the submarine procurement affair. Netanyahu and Ya'alon had previously received personal warning letters from the commission detailing concerns about their conduct. Witness testimony is set to begin in November 2026, with hearings concluding in December.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned to testify in submarine procurement inquiry.
- Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon received personal warning letters in June 2024.
- Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and former President Reuven Rivlin also summoned to testify.
- Witness testimony phase begins November 1, 2026, and concludes in December.
- Commission cited potential harm to national security and foreign relations in warning letters.
The state commission of inquiry into naval vessels has summoned several high-ranking political and security officials to testify as part of its investigation into personal warnings issued in the submarine and naval vessel procurement affair. Among those summoned are Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, former President Reuven Rivlin, and former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon. The commission announced that witness testimony will begin on November 1, 2026, with hearings scheduled for November and December, to be held behind closed doors.
Netanyahu's summons follows a personal warning letter he received from the commission in June 2024. The letter indicated concerns about serious deficiencies in his conduct regarding decision-making processes on sensitive security matters, including the procurement of naval vessels and agreements concerning the sale of submarines to Egypt. The commission's preliminary findings suggested Netanyahu's actions caused significant and systematic disruption to work processes and decision-making mechanisms, potentially endangering national security and harming foreign relations and economic interests.
In addition to Netanyahu, five personal warning letters were sent in June 2024 to former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, former National Security Advisor Yossi Cohen, former Navy Commander Ram Rotberg, and a former National Security Council official, Avner Shimoni. The warning to Ya'alon raised issues concerning his conduct in political and security roles, including representations made in a legal proceeding. Preliminary findings regarding the conduct of Cohen, Rotberg, and Shimoni in decision-making processes were also detailed.
Zamir's summons is likely due to his prior role as Netanyahu's military secretary during the period under investigation, serving as the basis for his appearance as a witness. The warning letters are intended to allow recipients to present their arguments and evidence before the commission makes final personal conclusions.
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