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Israel AG Announces Netanyahu Indictment

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February 28, 2019
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to deliver a statement to the media in his residency in Jerusalem February 28, 2019. REUTERS/ Ronen Zvulun

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to be indicted on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of public trust.

This, according to Attorney General Avichai Mandelbilt, who made the announcement on Feb. 28, The charges are the first against a sitting Israeli prime minister.

The charges pertain to three cases: Case 1000, Case 2000 and Case 4000. In Case 1000, known as the “Illegal Gifts Affair,” Netanyahu is accused of accepting gifts from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan as part of a quid pro quo, including advocating the extension of a law that allows Israelis to avoid paying taxes on income earned elsewhere to be extended.

Case 2000, “the Yediot Aharot-Israel Hayom” case. accuses Netanyahu of agreeing to a deal with Yediot Aharot publisher Arnon Mozes in which Yediot Aharot would have provided more favorable coverage toward Netanyahu if he supported a bill that harming Yediot Aharot’s competitor, Israel Hayom.

In Case 4000, “the Bezeq-Walla affair,” Netanyahu is accused of implementing favorable regulatory poliies to benefit Bezeq telecommunications company owner Shaul Elovitch. In return, Elovitch would give favorable coverage to Netanyahu through his news site, Walla.

“In your actions, you allegedly abused your position and status and significantly and seriously harmed the propriety of the public administration, the integrity of public servants and public trust in public servants,” Mandelbilt wrote in the 57-page announcement.

Netanyahu has denied wrongdoing in all three cases, arguing that they’re part of a “witch hunt” against him and that Mandelbilt caved to media pressure to indict him.

A Feb. 28 Likud Party video pushed back against the allegations, stating, “Netanyahu opposed the Israel Hayom law, 60 critical witnesses were not investigated, Netanyahu was not allowed to confront the state’s witnesses, the coverage of Netanyahu on Walla has and still is hostile toward him, the Justice Ministry confirmed that the Bezeq-Yes deal was approved without any interference from the prime minister.”

Netanyahu approved the merger between Bezeq and the satellite company Yes.

Netanyahu’s main political rival, Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz, called on Netanyahu to step down.

“Benjamin Netanyahu, I appeal to you from here tonight: Show national responsibility, and resign from your position,” Gantz said at a Feb. 28 press conference in Tel Aviv. “If and when you can prove your innocence, you can return to public service with your head held high.”

Netanyahu can appeal Mandelbilt’s decision, but the process could take as long as a year.

Israel’s national elections are slated for April 9.

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