Netanyahu's national security adviser choice questioned over corruption

Allegations of corruption surround the Israeli Prime Minister's choice for national security adviser after he was questioned by police on Tuesday.

Avriel Bar-Yosef was nominated by Binyamin Netanyahu in February, but reportedly turned down the job after allegations of bribery and money-laundering emerged.

Bar-Yosef initially claimed that he had refused the job offer in July because the cabinet had not approved his appointment.

"Despite the esteem I have for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's offer to appoint me as his national security adviser, I have decided to relinquish the appointment and accept offers in the private sector," he said.

The State Attorney's economic department is overseeing the investigation into Bar-Yosef's alleged connections with German business owners who were understood to have been considering investing in Israel's offshore gas companies.

Bar-Yosef was involved in the Israeli gas platform development and Channel 2 has reported allegations that these German investors supplied Bar-Yosef and some of his family members with bribes.

Israeli NGOs informed authorities earlier this year that Bar-Yosef had allegedly received the back-handers. His candidacy for national security adviser was later revoked.

Bar-Yosef has not been arrested and has not made any comment on this issue.

This is not the first time that allegations of corruption have come near an Israeli Prime Minister.

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was jailed for 18 months in February on charges including fraud and tax evasion.