An Israeli commission of inquiry has sent out warning letters, including one to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following an investigation that lasted more than two years.
The commission examined the procedures for the procurement of German submarines and corvettes, which are small warships, for the Israeli Navy between 2009 and 2016.
The commission said on Monday that Netanyahu could be "harmed" by the investigation. Netanyahu was prime minister during the period in question.
According to the 11-page memo, Netanyahu could be adversely affected if the commission concludes that he made decisions with a significant impact on the country's security without an organized decision-making process and that he concluded agreements with Germany on security and economic issues, bypassing his government.
The investigation had already concluded that Netanyahu's behaviour had resulted in far-reaching and systematic disruption to work processes and to endangering Israel's security and its foreign relations, the statement said.
Four other people are said to have received warning letters, including former defence minister Moshe Ya'alon and former Mossad head Yossi Cohen.
Some of those involved are under suspicion of corruption. While Netanyahu had been questioned in this regard, he was not under suspicion, the statement said.
Germany has delivered five submarines to Israel with a sixth still to be delivered.
In 2022, Israel and Germany concluded a subsequent deal on the purchase of three submarines of the new Dakar class, the first of which is scheduled for delivery within nine years.
Responding to the announcement, Netanyahu said the submarines were "a central pillar of Israel's national security and in ensuring its existence against Iran, which is trying to destroy us."
History would show that he had been right and had made the right decisions for the country's security, Netanyahu said.