Israel police recommend Benjamin Netanyahu corruption charge: reports

Israeli police on Tuesday recommended that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be indicted in two cases of alleged corruption after a long-running probe, media reports said.

A decision to press formal charges against the long-serving premier now rests with the attorney general's office, which is expected to take weeks or months to decide how to proceed.

Netanyahu, who has repeatedly said he has done nothing wrong, is not expected to resign.

A prime minister who is facing such police recommendations or who has been formally charged with offences is not obliged to resign.

Various Israeli media reported that police had informed Netanyahu's lawyers that they were recommending his indictment in both corruption cases involving him that they have been investigating.

There was no immediate reaction from Netanyahu, who has been prime minister for a total of nearly 12 years, and police declined to comment when contacted by AFP.

Netanyahu was expected to speak soon.

Police have been investigating Netanyahu over suspicions that he received expensive gifts, including pricey cigars, from wealthy supporters such as Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer.

His wife allegedly received bottles of pink champagne.

The gifts were reportedly worth some tens of thousands of dollars.

Police have also been probing allegations that Netanyahu sought a secret deal for favourable coverage with the publisher of top-selling newspaper Yediot Aharonot.