Police investigating Benjamin Netanyahu are said to be running out of patience over his failure to present himself for questioning over corruption allegations.

Detectives have reportedly signalled that if the Israeli prime minister doesn’t agree to requests to set a date for an interrogation, they will set a date for him, and he will be forced to attend.

Law officers have already questioned Mr Netanyahu on two occasions but are demanding a third, extended interview to complete their investigation.

According to Ynet, police have waited weeks for a date to be arranged and believe the Prime Minister's Office is dragging its feet.

Mr Netanyahu is under suspicion over the alleged receipt of expensive gifts from wealthy businesspeople and claims of collusion with newspaper publishers in an attempt to secure more favourable coverage.

He is also expected to be questioned on the “submarines” investigation, in which a number of senior military officials and political advisors are suspected of having received bribes in return for the purchase of warships for the Israeli Navy from a German shipyard.

He has denied any wrongdoing, and has accused police of conducting "a transparent witch-hunt" and allowing illegal leaks from the investgation.

On Friday, Israeli media reported that Germany had secretly approved the construction of three submarines to be sold to Israel’s navy.

It is understood that Germany will have the right to withdraw from the deal if police find bribery was involved.