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Israeli police question PM Netanyahu in corruption probe Israeli police question PM Netanyahu in corruption probe
(about 3 hours later)
Israeli police have questioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of an inquiry into corruption allegations.Israeli police have questioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of an inquiry into corruption allegations.
Ahead of their arrival at his residence, Mr Netanyahu again denied any wrongdoing. He was asked about "receiving benefits from business people", justice ministry officials said without giving details.
He told the media and political rivals to "hold off partying", adding: "Nothing will happen, because there is nothing." Ahead of the investigators' arrival at his residence on Monday, Mr Netanyahu restated that he was innocent.
Israeli media have reported allegations that he has received significant gifts or "favours" from businessmen. He warned the media and political rivals that they should "hold off partying", adding: "Nothing will happen, because there is nothing."
Investigators questioned the PM at his central Jerusalem residence for about three hours, the Jerusalem Post newspaper says. Mr Netanyahu was questioned at his Jerusalem residence for about three hours, the Jerusalem Post newspaper says.
The prime minister is accused of accepting "improper gifts" worth thousands of dollars from domestic and international businessman, the newspaper reported.
Mr Netanyahu told his Likud party legislators earlier on Monday: "We hear all the media reports. We see and hear the festive spirit and atmosphere in television studios and in the corridors of the opposition.Mr Netanyahu told his Likud party legislators earlier on Monday: "We hear all the media reports. We see and hear the festive spirit and atmosphere in television studios and in the corridors of the opposition.
"I want to tell them to wait for the celebrations. Do not rush. I told you and I repeat: There will be nothing because there is nothing. You will continue to inflate hot air balloons and we will continue to lead the state of Israel." "I want to tell them to wait for the celebrations. Do not rush... You will continue to inflate hot air balloons and we will continue to lead the state of Israel."
However, Ynet quoted the leader of the Zionist Union, Isaac Herzog, as saying: "This isn't a happy day. This is a hard day for the state of Israel. We are not gloating." Opponents of Mr Netanyahu have called for an investigation into his affairs following a series of scandals in recent months - none of which has resulted in charges.
Opponents of Mr Netanyahu have called for an investigation into his affairs following a series of scandals in recent months - none of which have resulted in charges. Allegations against Benjamin Netanyahu
Last month, an investigation was opened into the purchase of new submarines from Germany, after it was claimed that Mr Netanyahu's lawyer represented the company during negotiations. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing ahead of investigation
Earlier this year, convicted French fraudster Arnaud Mimran claimed he had donated hundreds of thousands of euros to Mr Netanyahu's 2009 election campaign - something the prime minister denies.
He has also been accused of wasting public money, including $127,000 (£102,000) on a customised private bedroom on a single flight to the UK.
Similar allegations have followed the prime minister since his original term in office two decades ago.
In 2000, Israeli police recommended that criminal charges be brought against Mr Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, after an eight-month investigation into whether he had kept official gifts that should have been handed over to the state after he left office.
At the same time, they were also accused of charging the government for the services of a contractor who did private work for them.
All those charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence.