Netanyahu set to plunge Israel into crisis over corruption case
Israeli Prime Minister insists he will seek immunity as he refuses to accept charges.
ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will seek immunity from corruption charges.
The move is likely to delay any trial until after elections in March, when he hopes to have a majority coalition that will shield him from prosecution.
Mr Netanyahu was indicted in November on charges of accepting bribes, fraud and breach of trust.
After failing to assemble a governing majority following successive elections last year, he will get a third shot at remaining in office in March.
The announcement he is seeking immunity essentially turns the upcoming election into a referendum on whether Mr Netanyahu should be granted it and remain in office, or step down and stand trial.
A recent poll indicated a majority of Israelis oppose giving him immunity.
In a nationally televised address, Mr Netanyahu repeated his assertion he is the victim of an unfair conspiracy, lashing out at prosecutors, the media and his political enemies.
Claiming credit for a series of economic and security achievements on his watch, he said he would seek to invoke the law that would protect him from prosecution as long as he remains in office. In order to continue to lead Israel to great achievements, I intend to approach the speaker of the Knesset in accordance with chapter 4C of the law, to fulfil my right, my duty and my mission to continue to serve you for the future of Israel,” he said.
Normally, a request for immunity would need to be approved by the parliament’s House Committee and then submitted to a full vote. But the House Committee does not exist because a government was never formed after September’s election.
Court proceedings cannot begin until the question of immunity is settled.
The opposition Blue and White party said it will seek to form the House Committee before the election to take up the question of immunity. But it remains unclear whether it will be able to move forward.
Parliament Speaker Yuli Edelstein, a member of Mr Netanyahu’s Likud Party, said he would hold talks on the matter next week.
The Blue and White party’s leader, former military chief Benny Gantz, said it was a “sad day”.
“I never imagined we would see the day the prime minister of Israel would avoid standing before the law and the justice system,” he said.
“Today it’s clear what we’re fighting for. Netanyahu knows he’s guilty.”
Mr Netanyahu said he was not evading justice and still plans to go to court to fight the “fabricated accusations”.
“The law is meant to ensure elected officials can serve the people according to the will of the people,” he said.
Should Mr Netanyahu succeed in assembling a 61-seat majority in favour of immunity, he would avoid prosecution.
But that still appears unlikely after the March vote, with most polls predicting another split decision that would leave Likud and Blue and White deadlocked, with neither able to secure a parliamentary majority.
The uncertainty means it could be many months before a new government is formed, leaving the question of immunity on hold with Mr Netanyahu remaining in office.
The indictment, on charges of trading political and regulatory favours for positive press coverage and accepting lavish gifts from wealthy supporters, marked the culmination of three long-running investigations.
Mr Netanyahu has dismissed the allegations as an “attempted coup” and has vowed to battle them from the prime minister’s office. He is desperate to stay in office while he fights the charges.
The powerful position would allow him to rally public opposition to what he says is an unfair witch hunt. He can also use the office to grant political favours to allies who agree to vote in favour of immunity.
The question of immunity is just one of the hurdles Mr Netanyahu faces.
While Israeli law does not require a sitting prime minister to resign after being charged with a crime, it is vague about whether an indicted politician could be tapped to form a new government after new elections.
On Tuesday, Israel’s Supreme Court began discussions on the matter.
If the court decides Mr Netanyahu is ineligible, it could potentially bring his three-decade political career to an abrupt end after the March election.
The court gave no indication on when it would issue a ruling on the politically sensitive case.
Disqualifying Mr Netanyahu would deeply divide the nation and precipitate a legal crisis over separations of power.
The prime minister has long accused judicial and law enforcement officials of trying to drive him from office and repeated his claim that only the voters can choose who will lead the country.
I never imagined we would see the day the prime minister of Israel would avoid standing before the law and the justice system