A Decade of the Submarine Affair: Key Milestones and Open Inquiries
A decade after the eruption of the submarine affair, or Case 3000, legal proceedings and a state commission of inquiry continue to examine the multi-billion-dollar German procurement deal.
A decade ago, in November 2016, details began to emerge regarding one of the most high-profile security and legal affairs in Israel's history—the submarine affair, later known as Case 3000. At the center of the scandal was a multi-billion-dollar deal to procure three submarines from Germany, which raised serious questions regarding decision-making processes and the involvement of individuals close to the nation's top leadership.
Origins of the Investigation and Legal Proceedings
At the time, media reports highlighted the connection between attorney David Shimron, personal legal counsel to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the entities involved in the transaction. The controversial multi-billion-dollar procurement moved forward despite opposition from the defense establishment and behind the back of then-Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon. Following extensive investigations, the criminal case against David Shimron was closed, clearing him of suspicion. However, the initial revelations sparked two major legal developments: a criminal indictment against a series of senior figures and the establishment of a state commission of inquiry.
Criminal Indictments and State Inquiry
The criminal trial, dubbed Case 3000, saw indictments filed in 2021 against several defendants, including Miki Ganor, who initially served as a state witness before retracting his testimony, and David Sharan, currently acting CEO of the Likud party. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit clarified early on that Prime Minister Netanyahu was not a suspect in the affair.
Simultaneously, a state commission of inquiry was established to investigate the naval vessel procurement. The commission was tasked with examining past decision-making protocols and recommending structural reforms for future defense acquisitions. The panel has issued warning letters to five individuals, indicating they could be adversely affected by its final conclusions: Benjamin Netanyahu, Moshe Ya'alon, Yossi Cohen, Ram Rothberg, and Avner Simhoni. Recently, the commission announced that hearings will continue behind closed doors, with scheduled testimonies from key witnesses including Prime Minister Netanyahu and IDF Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir. Former Supreme Court President Asher Grunis recently stepped down as chairman of the inquiry due to health reasons, with retired Supreme Court Justice Zvi Zilbertal appointed as the new chair.
