JERUSALEM: One of Israeli Prime Minister Ben­ja­min Netanyahu’s closest confidants has agreed to testify against him in a graft probe, Israeli media repor­ted on Wednesday, in a fresh threat to his long tenure.

Two new corruption investigations announced this week, hot on the heels of a police recommendation that Netanyahu face charges in two other cases, have fuelled growing speculation he could be forced to step down or call an early election.

Shlomo Filber, a Netan­yahu ally for more than 20 years and former director general of the communications ministry, is expected to agree to turn state witness in exchange for avoiding jail, according to reports across the Israeli press. Police did not confirm any deal.

Filber was arrested on Sunday in connection with allegations that Shaul Elo­vitch, the controlling shareholder of Israeli telecommunications giant Bezeq, gave Netanyahu positive coverage on his Walla! news site in exchange for policies benefiting the business.

Filber is suspected of mediating between Netan­yahu and Elovitch and promoting regulatory changes worth millions to Bezeq.

Two senior Bezeq employees also detained on Sunday, CEO Stella Handler and Amikam Shorer, appeared Wednesday in court, where their remand was extended until February 26.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2018