Bribery

"It can't be that Netanyahu told the police that there was nothing wrong with his closest aide receiving money from an Arab country that backs Hamas," argued Lapid.

The suspects will be brought to a hearing regarding the extension of their detention at the Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court today.

“I never took this as bribery. I saw it as a general statement that he would try to get to it, not at all something specific. I didn’t take it that seriously, nor did anybody else,” Netanyahu said.

The estimated value of the aircraft is approximately $400 million, before any adjustments made by the US Air Force, aviation experts told ABC.

A violation of the law—should it be passed—is expected to carry a penalty of up to ten years in prison.

Israel Police interrogated ex-Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, previously jailed for bribery, over suspicions of indecent act against minor under 16.

The IFA plans to collaborate closely with the Israel Police to pursue immediate indictments against those implicated.

Petah Tikva municipality's director, Yaniv Benita, was also detained on Monday morning for additional questioning.

The investigators also looked into the issue of Dorfman requesting information into open Shin Bet cases, specifically trying to gain access to confidential material.

The suspects were reportedly aware of the nature of their actions and understood they were working for an Iranian operative.

The defense is to open its case around four-and-a-half years after the prosecution opened its case and seven years after the investigations started.