Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be get indicted over bribery and corruption charges arising from three different corruption investigations while pending a hearing, country’s attorney general has on Thursday announced.
According to CNN news reports, the announcement has marked a dramatic moment in the nation’s politics ahead of April’s general election, and a major blow to Netanyahu as he was seeking a fifth term in power.
However, Netanyahu has reiterated his refusal of any wrongdoing, denouncing the investigations as a media-led witch hunt. Shortly after the announcement, Netanyahu blamed the left party for pressuring attorney general Avichai Mandelblit to issue an indictment in order to win at the ballot box.
Netanyahu said, “The left understands that they will not beat me at the ballot box. They exerted extraordinary pressure on the attorney general to issue an indictment even though there is nothing, in order to influence the elections and to crown a left-wing government.”
“This entire house of cards will collapse. I am sure of it 4,000%,” he added, referencing one of the cases against him.
Before the charges on Netanyahu were formally laid, he was entitled to a hearing on the pending indictment. Under Israeli law, Netanyahu is not required to step down if he is indicted. If he is convicted, then only he is required to step down, and that conviction is upheld through the appeals process in court.
Former military chief of staff Benny Gantz, Netanyahu’s main rival in the April’s general election, after the attorney general’s announcement, called on him to resign.
Gantz, in response to Netanyahu’s statement, said, “Because of the circumstances which have arisen, sitting [in a future government] with Benjamin Netanyahu is not something which is on the table.”
Gantz added, “Benjamin Netanyahu — I turn to you this evening. Get over yourself and show national responsibility. Resign from your position. If you prove that you are innocent, you can return to the public realm and again lead your movement.”
In the first case – Case 1000 – Mandelblit intends to charge Netanyahu with breach of trust – alleged to receive $280,000 from overseas billionaires, including jewellery, champagne and cigars and more – between 2016-2917. In return, Netanyahu would advance tax break benefiting businessmen.
In another case – Case 2000 – Mandelblit intends to charge Netanyahu with another count of breach of trust. In another case, known as Case 4000, Netanyahu faces bribery and breach of trust charges.