Jerusalem — One of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s closest confidants has reportedly agreed to testify against him in a graft probe that poses a threat to his long term in power. Two new corruption investigations announced this week, hard on the heels of a police recommendation for Netanyahu to face charges in two other cases, have fuelled speculation that he could be forced to step down or call an early election. Shlomo Filber, a Netanyahu ally for more than 20 years and a former communications ministry director-general, was expected to agree to turn state witness in exchange for avoiding jail, Israeli media reported. Filber was arrested on Sunday in connection with allegations that Shaul Elovitch, the controlling shareholder of Israeli telecoms company Bezeq, gave Netanyahu positive coverage on his Walla! news site in exchange for government policies benefiting the business. Filber is suspected of mediating between Netanyahu and Elovitch and promoting regulatory change...
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