The national police department's unit for international crimes, together with Defense Ministry investigators, are looking into the charges. Under suspicion are managers in the Assets and Administration Wing of the Defense Ministry.
One manager responsible for electric infrastructures apparently received gifts, restaurant meals, and electrical work in his home. His deputy and others are also suspected of receiving gifts. Under investigation are also eight contractors suspected of providing the gifts in order to receive preferential treatment in receiving Defense Ministry contracts.
Maariv-NRG quotes a source close to the investigation as saying, "The message must be made clear that this is not acceptable. Wherever there is money and buying, the temptation to grab is very great. It is something that is seen everywhere, not only in this wing and not only in the Defense Ministry."
Labor MK Ami Ayalon, a candidate for Labor Party Chairman in the upcoming May elections, told the NFC Hebrew new website, "Corruption has become a strategic threat against Israel's very existence - no less dangerous than Iranian rockets and Syrian tanks. It threatens to crumble us from within and to shake the public trust in the institutions that are supposed to protect us... The investigation must be quick and to the point."
Ayalon has made this point in the past. Following Defense Minister Peretz's nomination last month of Raled Majadle as a Cabinet minister - Israel's first from the Arab sector - many accused Peretz of political motivations. Ayalon said at the time, "Corruption is an existential threat. Personal-political considerations drive people to places they don't belong."
One manager responsible for electric infrastructures apparently received gifts, restaurant meals, and electrical work in his home. His deputy and others are also suspected of receiving gifts. Under investigation are also eight contractors suspected of providing the gifts in order to receive preferential treatment in receiving Defense Ministry contracts.
Maariv-NRG quotes a source close to the investigation as saying, "The message must be made clear that this is not acceptable. Wherever there is money and buying, the temptation to grab is very great. It is something that is seen everywhere, not only in this wing and not only in the Defense Ministry."
Labor MK Ami Ayalon, a candidate for Labor Party Chairman in the upcoming May elections, told the NFC Hebrew new website, "Corruption has become a strategic threat against Israel's very existence - no less dangerous than Iranian rockets and Syrian tanks. It threatens to crumble us from within and to shake the public trust in the institutions that are supposed to protect us... The investigation must be quick and to the point."
Ayalon has made this point in the past. Following Defense Minister Peretz's nomination last month of Raled Majadle as a Cabinet minister - Israel's first from the Arab sector - many accused Peretz of political motivations. Ayalon said at the time, "Corruption is an existential threat. Personal-political considerations drive people to places they don't belong."