Binyamin Netanyahu says wrongdoing allegations will turn out to be fiction

Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has denied allegations of wrongdoing published by local media outlets, who say the attorney general will launch a criminal investigation against the prime minister next week.

A statement issued by a Netanyahu spokesman said the investigation would fail to uncover any evidence against him. “All the supposed affairs will turn out to be fiction, as will be the claims currently being published in the media . . . Nothing will be found because there is nothing to uncover,” Mr Netanyahu’s spokesman said.

Israeli Channel 10 television said on Wednesday that attorney general Avihai Mandelblit, who was working with prosecutors and police, had ordered an investigation. The report said Mr Mandelblit had authorised police to question Mr Netanyahu under caution in two affairs and that a date for the interrogation would be set in the coming days. The justice ministry said an announcement would be made "in due course".

Channel 2 television followed up on Thursday by alleging that Mr Netanyahu was suspected of receiving “significant gifts” from a local and a foreign businessman, although it provided no details. – (Reuters)