ISRAEL’S Defence Minister Benny Gantz has ordered a probe into the purchase of German submarines that form part of an ongoing corruption trial linked to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The move heightens tension between Mr Gantz’s Blue and White party and Mr Netanyahu’s Likud, which currently share power in a coalition.

The $2 billion Thyssenkrupp submarine and warship purchase is the focus of a sweeping corruption scandal in which seven businessmen, including confidants of Mr Netanyahu, have been named as suspects.

The prime minister himself is not a suspect in the case, although he is currently undergoing trial in three other sleaze cases.

But Moshe Ya’alon, who was defence minister when the transaction took place, has accused him of behaving improperly with regard to it and having a conflict of interest.

Likud said the probe was politically motivated and that Mr Gantz was simply “scouring for votes.”