The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has decided to seek parliamentary immunity from prosecution over corruption charges.
The move would likely delay a trial until after fresh elections next March.
In November, the prime minister was charged by the attorney general with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases.
Mr Netanyahu, who denies wrongdoing, would need the support of more than half of MPs for immunity to be granted.
Why did he ask for immunity?
Mr Netanyahu – who is the country’s longest serving leader – is alleged to have accepted gifts from wealthy businessmen and dispensed favours to try to get more positive press coverage.
He made the request for immunity in a televised speech just four hours before the deadline for an application was to expire.
He said it “would be in line with the law… with the goal of continuing to serve you, for the future of Israel”.
In March, he faces a third national election within a year.
A trial cannot begin once an immunity request is made and the Israeli parliament, the Knesset – which has been dissolved ahead of fresh elections – is unlikely to rule on the request before then.
Under Israeli law, members of the Knesset do not receive automatic immunity from prosecution, but can request it when relevant.
A sitting prime minister in Israel is only required to step down once convicted.
Previous elections held in April and September 2019 saw Mr Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party deadlocked with the centrist Blue and White – with neither able to form a government.
Mr Netanyahu’s legal problems were a big obstacle to negotiations. He has always insisted the charges are a politically motivated “witch-hunt” against him.
What has the reaction been?
Political leaders in Israel have reacted angrily to the decision.
Netanyahu’s rival for the premiership, Benny Gantz, vowed that his Blue and White party would do everything it could to prevent immunity.
“I never imagined that we would see the day that the prime minister of Israel would avoid standing before the law and the justice system,” he said.
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu, announced on Wednesday that his party would vote against the immunity request.
The Knesset Speaker, Yuli Edelstein, who is a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, said he would hold talks on the matter next week.
- BBC
The corruption charges against Netanyahu
Israel’s Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has decided to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. The cases involved are known as 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000.
Mr Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing and says he is the victim of a “witch hunt”.
Case 1,000
Charges: Fraud and breach of trust
This case concerns the prime minister’s relationship with two businessmen: Arnon Milchan, an Israeli Hollywood film producer, and James Packer, an Australian billionaire.
The draft indictment issued by the attorney general’s office in February alleged that Mr Netanyahu had “received various high-value benefits, including the frequent and continuous supply of expensive goods, while at the same time undertaking actions favourable to Mr Milchan”.
It said the benefits received between 2006 and 2016, mainly cigars and bottles of champagne, were worth 956,800 shekels ($264,100; £199,200).
Mr Netanyahu has insisted they were merely tokens of friendship and that he did not act inappropriately in exchange for them.
Mr Milchan and Mr Packer are not facing any charges, but like the prime minister they have previously denied any wrongdoing.
Case 2,000
Charges: Fraud and breach of trust
This case concerns meetings that Mr Netanyahu conducted with Arnon Mozes, a businessman and the controlling shareholder of the Yedioth Ahronoth media group, which publishes a leading Israeli newspaper.
“During these meetings, the two discussed positive changes in the press coverage by Mr Mozes’ media group regarding Mr Netanyahu, and possible action to promote a legislative bill that would have operated to reduce the financial damage created to Mr Mozes’ own newspaper by a rival newspaper, Yisrael Hayom,” the attorney general’s draft indictment said.
Mr Mandelblit has decided to charge Mr Mozes with bribery.
Both men have previously denied any wrongdoing, and said they did not intend to promote the matters discussed in their meetings.
Mr Netanyahu has said the legislation concerning Israel Hayom never passed, and that he dissolved his governing coalition in 2015 because of his opposition to it.
Case 4,000
Charges: Bribery, fraud and breach of trust
This case concerns what the attorney general’s draft indictment said was “an illegal arrangement between Mr Netanyahu and Saul Elovitch, owner of the news and media website Walla”.
Mr Netanyahu also held the post of communications minister from 2014 to 2017. Mr Elovitch was the controlling shareholder in Israel’s biggest telecommunications company, Bezeq.
“It is alleged that Mr Elovitch acted to significantly and substantively alter press coverage published on the [Walla] website so as to favour Mr Netanyahu,” the draft indictment said. “Under this arrangement, Mr Netanyahu in return exercised his authorities of office so as to benefit Mr Elovitch and his businesses.”
The attorney general has charged Mr Elovitch and his wife, Iris, with bribery.
Mr Netanyahu, Mr Elovitch and his wife have previously denied any wrongdoing.
Mr Netanyahu has insisted he received nothing from Mr Elovitch and that Walla’s coverage of him has been negative. He has said experts supported the regulatory decisions that benefited Bezeq.
- BBC