Tel Aviv - Embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
requested immunity from prosecution in the face of corruption charges
on Wednesday.
The 70-year-old sent a letter to parliament speaker Yuli Edelstein
seeking immunity in the three criminal cases against him.
However the request is ultimately decided, it is sure to delay the
start of Netanyahu's trial until after March's general election, the
third time Israelis will go to the polls in less than a year.
In a speech Wednesday evening, Netanyahu noted that the immunity
would be temporary as it lasts only as long as the legislative term.
He also slammed the investigation and said he would eventually prove
his innocence.
"I want to lead Israel for many more years to achieve historical
successes," he said.
Netanyahu's main rival, ex-military chief Benny Gantz of the Blue and
White alliance, spoke of a "sad day for Israel." He accused Netanyahu
of only being interested in his own personal fate and not in the
future of the state of Israel. "Netanyahu knows that he is guilty."
The Justice Department charged Netanyahu with bribery, fraud and
breach of trust late last year.
It is the first time in the history of Israel that an incumbent prime
minister has been charged. Netanyahu has spoken of a coup attempt and
sharply criticized Israel's judiciary. He accused the police of
putting witnesses under pressure.
Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit had sent the indictment
against Netanyahu to the president of the parliament on December 2.
After that, Netanyahu had 30 days to apply for immunity, which ran
out on Wednesday.
Without the immunity request, the indictment could have been filed
with the competent court in Jerusalem. With the immunity application,
however, the process is now on hold.
The political limbo in Israel is complicating matters.
After two parliamentary elections, no new government was formed in
2019 due to a stalemate, meaning the Knesset has only been able to
act to a limited extent.
Under normal circumstances, a parliamentary committee would have to
decide on the immunity issue and then a vote would take place in the
full Knesset.
Amir Fuchs, from the Israel Democracy Institute, says there is
currently no parliamentary majority to set up such a committee. But
without the committee, there would be no further steps in the
Netanyahu trial.
A third election is scheduled for March 2. "Most likely there will be
no house committee until the government is formed after the
election," Fuchs said.
After two deadlocked elections, Netanyahu wants to finally secure a
majority of 61 of the 120 members of the Knesset and achieve a fourth
consecutive term as prime minister.
The allegations against Netanyahu relate to suspicions that he
attempted to influence the media, made crooked deals with companies
and accepted luxury gifts from businessmen friends in return for
political favours.
Before the April 2019 general election, Netanyahu said during a
television interview that he would not seek immunity.
According to a poll by Israeli television, 51 per cent of Israelis
are against the request for immunity, while only 33 per cent support
the move.
Faced with criticism that he wanted to shirk responsibility,
Netanyahu said on Sunday: "Immunity is not against democracy;
immunity is a cornerstone of democracy."
If convicted of bribery, Netanyahu faces up to 10 years in prison. If
convicted of fraud and breach of trust, the maximum sentence would be
three years in prison.