Recordings Reveal Netanyahu's Office Avoided Police Interview Requests in Corruption Probe

On June 29, 2026, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a hearing at the Jerusalem District Court concerning high-profile corruption cases. However, new recordings released by journalist Guy Peleg on Channel 12 News reveal attempts by Netanyahu's office to avoid cooperating with police investigators. The tapes capture conversations between police investigator Aviv Shamo and Netanyahu's staff, including Navo Katz and Chief of Staff Ado Nordan, regarding scheduling a brief police interview with Netanyahu related to investigations involving associates Yonatan Orich and Tzachi Braverman.

The recordings show Katz informing Netanyahu that police requested a short, non-suspect interview, lasting no more than two hours, at any time and place convenient for the prime minister. Katz promised to confirm the meeting time but never followed up. Later, Nordan claimed Netanyahu was unaware of the police request and refused to even inform him, citing lack of time to coordinate. This evasiveness suggests a deliberate effort to avoid engagement with the investigation.

Peleg's report, though brief and aired late in the evening with minimal promotion, exposes the obstructive behavior within Netanyahu's office. The reluctance to acknowledge or facilitate police questioning raises questions about what the prime minister might be trying to conceal, possibly to protect himself or his close advisors. Despite the minor media coverage, the recordings highlight a troubling pattern of obstruction in a politically sensitive corruption probe.

The revelations come amid broader political tensions and ongoing investigations into Netanyahu's conduct. While the report did not lead to immediate legal consequences, it underscores the challenges Israeli law enforcement faces when probing high-level officials. The public and media reaction to these recordings may influence future scrutiny of Netanyahu's administration and its cooperation with judicial processes.