Israeli police on Sunday questioned David Bitan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's close ally and chairman of the coalition, on suspicion of bribery and money laundering. Bitan was questioned by officers with the police's Lahav 433 unit on suspicion that he promoted interests of a senior member of a criminal organisation in return for debt relief, Xinhua news agency reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his Jerusalem office on December 3, 2017. Pic/AFP