The Israel Police questioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday over his alleged dealings with Bezeq, the country's largest telecommunications company, in one of three corruption cases involving the prime minister.
It was the second time the prime minister was questioned in the investigation, dubbed "Case 4,000."
The case centers on potentially illicit dealings and conflicts of interest involving Israeli telecom corporation Bezeq and the Bezeq-owned Walla news website. The police allege that Bezeq controlling shareholder Shaul Elovitch ensured positive coverage for Netanyahu in Walla, in exchange for the prime minister promoting government regulations worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Bezeq.
Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing and says he is the victim of a media witch hunt.
Netanyahu's wife, Sara, and son, Yair, were also questioned over their relationships with Elovitch and his wife as part of the case.
Video footage showed a police car pulling into the driveway of the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem. A police spokesman and a lawyer for the Netanyahu family declined to comment.
Bezeq has denied wrongdoing. Police have yet to make any recommendations about charges in the case.
Two former Netanyahu confidants have agreed to turn state's witnesses in the case: former Communications Ministry Director General Shlomo Filber, and a former spokesman of Netanyahu's, Nir Hefetz.
Police have already recommended that Netanyahu be charged with bribery in two previous cases (1,000 and 2,000), but the final decision about whether to prosecute rests with Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit. That decision could be months away.
So far, partners in Netanyahu's governing coalition have stood by him, saying they are awaiting the attorney general's next moves. Political analysts say such support may erode if the investigations against Netanyahu intensify.
Netanyahu could also call for early elections to try to stall legal proceedings during the campaign and rally his right-wing power base behind him. Recent polls show Netanyahu's Likud party ahead of other factions in the Knesset.
However, surveys also show that about half of Israelis believe the police over Netanyahu and think he should step down. One-third think he should remain in office.
