Israel's cabinet Sunday voted to establish a formal inquiry into a 2012 naval procurement deal that has been marred by corruption allegations implicating close associates of former premier Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu has not personally been accused of wrongdoing in the so-called "submarine affair", which concerns a multi-billion shekel deal to acquire naval vessels from the German industrial giant Thyssenkrupp.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who ousted Netanyahu in June, abstained in the vote setting up the inquiry, reportedly citing concerns it would interfere with military procurement.

In a tweet before cabinet approved the probe, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid called the submarine affair "the most serious security corruption case in the history of Israel.

"It is necessary to turn over every stone to reach the truth."

Defence Minister Benny Gantz, also a strong supporter of the probe, tweeted after the vote that the inquiry was a "top security need" for the nation.

Several people have already been charged in the case.

The newly established commission will look at the procurement process but will not investigate defendants currently on trial.

This month, Gantz announced a separate agreement to buy three further submarines from Thyssenkrupp in a 10 billion shekel (over three billion dollar) deal.

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Israel buys three military submarines from Germany
Jerusalem (AFP) Jan 20, 2022
Israel announced Thursday a deal with Germany to develop and purchase three submarines from German industrial giant Thyssenkrupp for three billion euros ($3.4 billion). "The new submarines will upgrade the capabilities of the Israeli navy, and will contribute to Israel's security superiority in the region," Defence Minister Benny Gantz said in a statement. According to analysts, negotiations between Israel and Germany on the deal were delayed and complicated by a suspected corruption affair invo ... read more