Middle East

Israel's Netanyahu denies 'baseless' reports of new scandal

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, Israel's Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, left, and Israel's air force commander Maj.General Amir Eshel attend a graduation ceremony for new pilots in the Hatzerim air force base near the city of Beersheba, Israel, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016. Israel's Justice Ministry and police say they will issue an update "in due time" about an ongoing probe into suspicions surrounding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) (The Associated Press)

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to newly Israeli Air Force pilots during a graduation ceremony for new pilots in the Hatzerim air force base near the city of Beersheba, Israel, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016. Israel's Justice Ministry and police say they will issue an update "in due time" about an ongoing probe into suspicions surrounding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) (The Associated Press)

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, Israel's Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, left, and Israel's air force commander Maj.General Amir Eshel attend a graduation ceremony for new pilots in the Hatzerim air force base near the city of Beersheba, Israel, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016. Israel's Justice Ministry and police say they will issue an update "in due time" about an ongoing probe into suspicions surrounding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) (The Associated Press)

Israel's prime minister has denied what he calls "baseless" reports that he received gifts from two businessmen.

Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that "all these so-called scandals have turned out to be baseless and the same will be regarding the allegations published in the media now."

Israel's Channel 2 TV reported Thursday that Netanyahu accepted "favors" from businessmen in Israel and abroad. It said Netanyahu was the central suspect in a second investigation that also involves family members. It said a criminal probe is expected next week.

An opposition lawmaker is campaigning for Netanyahu to be investigated for corruption over suspicions that donors improperly transferred money for his personal use, as well as reports his personal attorney represented a German firm involved in a $1.5 billion sale of submarines to Israel.