Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed as "hot air" a police probe into allegations that he had improperly taken gifts while in office, the same day media reported that he had been questioned by investigators regarding the charges.

Members of the special investigative unit Lahav 433 visited Netanyahu at his official residence, reported Israeli media yesterday.

But Netanyahu had already dismissed the charges in earlier statements.

"Nothing will be found because there is nothing," he said in comments carried by the news portal ynet, reportedly made during a meeting of members of his Likud Party. He also advised critics to "hold off on their partying".

Netanyahu has been accused of taking lavish gifts from businessmen. Haaretz has reported that Netanyahu received a suit while his son, Yair, was given a trip abroad.

According to media reports, attorney-general Avichai Mandelblit has ordered the investigation. There are reports of other more damning allegations, though no details have been released.

David Amsalem, of Netanyahu's centre-right Likud, said the allegations are an attempt to topple the prime minister using the courts. Amsalem said he would support legislation that would shield sitting officials from such investigations.

Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, came under investigation for improperly taking gifts during a prior term in office, though the investigation was ended in 2000 due to lack of evidence.

Nonetheless, then-attorney-general Eliakim Rubinstein used unusually harsh language to criticise Netanyahu's behaviour, saying he did not want to give the appearance that everything was on the up and up.

- dpa