Bribery levelled at Netanyahu
ISRAEL: Israeli police have recommended charging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in two separate cases, a decision that could spark the biggest fight of his political life.
Police say they found evidence Netanyahu traded his influence for favours, a non-binding conclusion that Attorney General Avihai Mandelblit will have to weigh as he decides whether to file charges against a sitting Israeli premier for the first time.
Netanyahu, who years ago survived two prior police recommendations to indict him, has denied any wrongdoing and claims he’s the victim of a witchhunt by Left-wing opponents.
For more than a year, detectives have been investigating circumstances surrounding cigars, champagne and other gifts Netanyahu has acknowledged accepting from wealthy friends, including Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian businessman James Packer.
They’ve also probed a deal Netanyahu discussed with Arnon Mozes, publisher of the Yediot
Ahronot newspaper, to pass legislation that would weaken another daily in exchange for more favourable coverage.
Netanyahu denied the allegations yesterday, calling the police recommendations ‘‘disturbed’’ and claiming the investigations were intended to topple his government.
The shekel extended losses against the dollar after the announcement to trade 0.4 per cent down, making it was the secondworst performer among major currencies yesterday.
The recommendation to indict Netanyahu was anticipated, and coalition partners have rallied around a prime minister still popular with his Right-wing base. Tourism Minister Yariv Levin called it a ‘‘despicable move’’ to ‘‘stage a coup against the voter’s
will’’. Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked has said Netanyahu can continue to govern even if Mandelblit ultimately decides to indict him.
Opposition politicians including Shelly Yachimovich, of the liberal Zionist Union, and Tamar Zandberg, of the Left-wing Meretz Party, called on Netanyahu to resign. But with no politician from the coalition breaking ranks, the government appears in no danger of falling at this stage.
Eran Vigoda-Gadot, a political science professor at the Haifa University, predicted it will take several weeks for Mandelblit to make a decision. If he decides to indict Netanyahu, court proceedings could drag out for a year. –