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The Israel Police announced on Sunday that former Shin Bet chief Nadav Argaman has been summoned for questioning after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused him of blackmail.
The move follows a complaint Netanyahu filed last week, alleging that Argaman had threatened to disclose compromising information about him during a televised interview.
During an appearance on Channel 12 news last Thursday, Argaman hinted at possessing sensitive information about Netanyahu but stated that he had so far refrained from disclosing it.
“It’s quite clear that I have a great deal of knowledge, which I can put to use… but I’m currently keeping everything that happened between myself and the prime minister out of the public sphere,” Argaman said.
However, he warned that if Netanyahu were to act “in contradiction to the law,” he would be compelled to reveal what he knows.
Netanyahu swiftly responded by filing a police complaint, accusing Argaman of blackmail. In a letter to Israel Police Chief Daniel Levy, the prime minister described Argaman’s remarks as a “mafia-like” threat against a sitting head of government.
“He crossed all red lines by threatening and blackmailing a sitting prime minister using the methods of crime organizations,” Netanyahu wrote.
He further argued that Argaman’s words represented “not just a threat to the prime minister but an absolute threat to the Israeli regime, the rule of law, and democracy.”
Following the complaint, Levy instructed investigators to review Argaman’s statements. According to Channel 12, police compiled an extensive report based on their findings, which was subsequently discussed by senior officials before they decided to summon the former Shin Bet chief.
Notably, the police reportedly did not consult Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara before initiating the investigation, despite her wish to be kept informed due to Argaman’s former high-ranking position.
The timing of the police decision coincided with Netanyahu’s announcement of his plan to dismiss current Shin Bet director Ronen Bar.
The move has sparked speculation, given that the Shin Bet is reportedly investigating alleged ties between senior officials in Netanyahu’s office and Qatar.
Bar, in a rare public statement on Friday, distanced himself from Argaman’s comments, stating that the Shin Bet should not “use the organization’s power unnecessarily.”
He emphasized that such conduct “has not been and will not be our way” and expressed disapproval of statements that were “not statesmanlike.”
During his Channel 12 interview, Argaman also raised concerns about the potential political nature of Bar’s dismissal, warning that Netanyahu’s government could make a partisan appointment for the next Shin Bet chief.
“I am extremely afraid of the possibility that an appointment made by this government, an appointment made by this prime minister, could be a political appointment,” he said.
He further suggested that the firing of Bar, under the circumstances, could constitute a conflict of interest. The escalating tensions between Netanyahu and former security officials highlight growing political divisions within Israel’s security establishment.
As police proceed with their investigation into Argaman’s comments, the case is expected to have significant political and legal ramifications.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members