On Wednesday night, Israel’s longest serving Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, requested parliamentary immunity from prosecution over corruption charges.
In November, the Prime Minister was charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases by the Attorney General. More details on the cases can be found here.
In the televised speech just four hours before the deadline for an immunity application, Mr Netanyahu alleged that the charges against him were politically motivated when requesting the Knesset’s protection.
Under usual circumstances, a request for immunity would need the approval of the Knesset’s House Committee and then pass through the House in a full vote. However, the House Committee has not been formed since September’s indecisive election and Israel remains in political deadlock.
As court proceedings cannot begin until the question of immunity is settled, some commentators have remarked that Netanyahu’s request in effect turns March 2nd’s election into a referendum on whether he should be granted immunity and remain in office or step down and stand trial.
In a letter to parliament speaker Yuli Edelstein, Netanyahu said his immunity request was based on the fact that the cases discriminated against him, were filed in bad faith and that if a criminal proceeding were to take place at this time it would cause damage to the functioning of the Knesset and to elected public officials.
Following his announcement, Mr Netanyahu resigned all his ministerial positions. He is, however, still set to stand as Likud’s leader in March’s election.
Reacting to Netanyahu’s announcement, Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman said that his party would oppose immunity, complicating Netanyahu’s prospects of winning the necessary 61 votes he will need to form a coalition.
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz said his party would push for the establishment of the Knesset House Committee so the immunity request can be debated by parliament quickly.
