Israel intelligence chief says he plans to succeed Netanyahu

Source: Associated Press


Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press
 Updated 9:04 pm, Thursday, November 30, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) — Israel's intelligence minister said Thursday he plans to succeed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who is embroiled in corruption scandals and a police investigation.

But Israel Katz said in an interview with The Associated Press he hopes Netanyahu will be able to continue as prime minister, and "that the clouds that are hanging over his head now will pass."

Israeli police have questioned Netanyahu six times over a pair of corruption scandals and one of his closest former aides has become a witness against him. Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and called the accusations a witch hunt orchestrated by a hostile media.

Police say they suspect Netanyahu of being involved in bribery, fraud and breach of trust. The scandals have yet to threaten his rule but have chipped away at his public approval ratings.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Israel-intelligence-chief-says-he-plans-to-12396093.php