Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke to reporters on Saturday night before departing to Paris.
"We are departing to a very important ceremony to mark the centennial of the end of World War I, a bloody war, which claimed the lives of millions,” he said.
“It was also very important to the history of our people. First of all, the fact that there were hundreds of thousands of Jewish fighters, which marked the next turning point in our ability to defend ourselves, and, of course it brought to an end the Ottoman Empire that ruled our land, and paved the way for Zionism.”
“I will meet dozens of leaders from around the world, and I will have a separate meeting with President Macron. There are many important issues that need to be discussed, but the very essence of being there is important. I, as usual, will represent the State of Israel with great pride," noted the prime minister.
Netanyahu also discussed the police's recommendations for indictments in “Case 3000”, also known as the submarine affair, against his associates.
"For the past two years I have been shown going up and down in submarines. First they said ‘he knew’, now they say ‘he did not know’. It's enough that you know that there is no claim against me in this case. That's no small matter because they do not hesitate to accuse me of the most absurd claims, but in this case there was not even an absurd claim,” he said.
Specifically addressing the recommendations regarding Attorney David Shimron, who is Netanyahu’s personal lawyer, the prime minister said, "You know that I did not know. I suggest waiting for the end of the procedures and not to pass judgment. They make many claims and many of these claims are shattered and fall. They try, keep trying."
The prime minister was also asked about the transfer of Qatari money to Gaza on Friday and said, "I am doing what I can in coordination with the security forces to restore quiet to the southern communities, this is a process, and also to prevent a humanitarian crisis. I think that at this time this is the right step. These things were done in order to prevent the humanitarian crisis, and I think they were done in agreement with all the security forces and cabinet officials, following serious discussions we held.”
Netanyahu was asked about the so-called “Gideon Sa’ar Law”, which would obligate the president to place the task of forming a coalition following elections on the head of a party only. A discussion on the legislation was scheduled for Sunday but has been postponed due to differences of opinion on the issue.
"I will discuss these issues when I come back. I am currently going abroad, and while I am abroad, I assume I will not deal with this. But when I get back, I will deal with all the issues. This is not a personal law, it's a basic law,” said Netanyahu.
Finally, the prime minister was asked to comment on the criticism of former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who earlier on Saturday said the submarine affair was “treasonous” and called on Netanyahu to resign in its wake.
Netanyahu replied dismissively, "Who? You already know how to answer this better than I do."