Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday accused police of a “witch hunt” after authorities recommended a new indictment against him.
In a joint statement with the Israel Securities Authority, Israeli police said that sufficient evidence was found to bring bribery charges against Netanyahu and his wife. The Israeli leader allegedly traded regulatory favors to a top telecommunications company in exchange for favorable news coverage.
Netanyahu fired back on Sunday at a Likud party event to mark the first night of Hanukkah, according to i24News.
The Israeli leader insisted that the claims against him were baseless, calling the recommendations and the case a “transparent, so petty, and contaminated process from the beginning.”
Netanyahu argued there was nothing suspicious or illegal with him being in contact with major media outlets owners after police recommended indictment for bribery over allegations that he pushed regulations benefiting Bezeq telecoms in exchange for positive coverage from its Walla news site.
Netanyahu accused investigators and the Israeli news outlets for specifically singling him out. “No Bibi, no investigation,” he claimed was the motto of investigators, Netanyahu said, referring to himself by his nickname.
The prime minister compared his defense to Hanukkah, which celebrates “the victory of light over darkness,” he said.
“A true Hanukkah miracle. What a beautiful present they gave us for the holiday,” Netanyahu quipped.
He then echoed American President Donald Trump by adding, “The witch hunt against us continues.”
