Netanyahu seeks immunity from prosecution in corruption cases

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem. Picture: Abir Sultan /Pool photo via AP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem. Picture: Abir Sultan /Pool photo via AP

Published Jan 2, 2020

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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.

dpa

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