Netanyahu to be charged with corruption before tight election

JERUSALEM — Israel’s attorney-general announced on Thursday he intends to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on corruption charges, a decision coming just six weeks before a closely contested national election.

It was the first time a serving Israeli prime minister has been put on official notice of planned prosecution, and deepened uncertainty over how Netanyahu, a veteran right-wing leader, will fare against a coalition of upstart centrist rivals.

An actual filing of the charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust would depend on the outcome of a required hearing, the Justice Ministry said. That could take months to complete.

At that hearing — which could take place after the April 9 election — Netanyahu can try to persuade the attorney-general, Avichai Mandelblit, not to indict him.

His voice brimming with indignation as he addressed the nation during primetime TV news, Netanyahu dismissed the three criminal cases as a political “witchhunt” designed to oust him.

“I intend to serve you and the country as prime minister for many more years. But it’s up to you,” he said, referring to his hopes of winning a fourth consecutive term in April.

Netanyahu is suspected of wrongfully accepting gifts worth $264,000, which prosecutors said included cigars and champagne from tycoons, and dispensing favors in alleged bids for improved coverage by an Israeli newspaper and a website.

He could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of bribery and a maximum three-year term for fraud and breach of trust.

Opinion polls show a tight race for Netanyahu’s Likud party, with sharp gains for a center-left alliance led by Benny Gantz, a former armed forces chief who has pledged clean government.

At the hearing with Mandelblit, the 69-year-old Netanyahu can cite the public interest in arguing against an indictment. In his statement on Thursday, the prime minister touted what he has achieved for the country: Noting the strong economy and ties with world powers that he has cultivated over the last decade.

“This is not to be taken for granted,” he said.

Netanyahu would be under no legal requirement to resign, even if indicted. But if he were re-elected it would likely be to lead a coali- tion, as he does now, and if he were indicted, public pressure could buckle the necessary alliances.

Gantz said on Thursday he would not join Netanyahu in any future coalition government given the possible corruption indictment, and called on the prime minister to step down.

Yohanan Plesner, president of the nonpartisan Israel Democracy Institute, said he did not expect a dramatic shift in public opinion against Netanyahu.

“However, since the elections are such a close call, even a movement of few percentage points in either direction can make the difference between Netanyahu winning as prime minister — or his main challenger, Mr Benny Gantz,” Plesner said.

Netanyahu’s supporters generally back his hawkish stands on Iran and the Palestinians, credit him for the strong economy and greatly admire his command of English and international standing.

Many of his opponents see him as a divisive leader whose alliance with the far-right has harmed democracy and made any prospect of peace with the Palestinians even more remote.

Anshel Pfeffer, author of a recent Netanyahu biography, said Israel was entering “uncharted waters” in which “no one has any idea how being a prime minister under notice of indictment will effect Netanyahu and his government”.

I intend to serve you and the country as prime minister for many more years. But it’s up to you.” Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister