Benjamin Netanyahu faced the most serious domestic crisis of his six-month premiership of Israel yesterday when he was accused of concealing a visit he allegedly made to Moscow.
Mr Netanyahu's military attache, General Meir Kalifi, seemed likely to be the first political victim of the deepening mystery surrounding the Arctic Sea, a ship carrying Russian cargo that mysteriously went astray, after Israeli newspapers reported that he had written a letter of resignation.
Gen Kalifi played a cameo role in the Arctic Sea saga when the press asked about Mr Netanyahu's movements on Monday. A statement issued in his name claimed the prime minister was at a security facility inside Israel.
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