The move marks the first time in Israel's history that a serving prime minister will face criminal charges, casting a heavy shadow over Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, his legacy and his ongoing attempts to remain in power.
According to the text of the indictment, released by the Justice Ministry in November, Netanyahu is charged with fraud and breach of trust in Cases 1000 and 2000, and bribery, fraud and breach of trust in Case 4000.
The filing of charges came hours after Netanyahu announced Tuesday morning that he was withdrawing his request for parliamentary immunity from the pending indictment in the corruption cases against him.
Responding to the prime minister's announcement, Gantz said Tuesday that Netanyahu cannot run the country while standing trial in the three three cases against him.
In Case 1000, involving accusations that Netanyahu received gifts and benefits from billionaire benefactors including Israeli-born Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan in exchange for favors, Mandelblit charged Netanyahu with fraud and breach of trust - the latter being a somewhat murkily defined offense relating to an official violating the trust the public has placed in him.
According to the indictment in that case, Netanyahu "Damaged the image of public service and the public's trust in it, in that while serving in public positions, and foremost as prime minister maintained for years an inappropriate relationship with billionaire benefactors."
The case is said to have been a contentious one in Mandelblit's office, with many prosecution officials reportedly arguing that Netanyahu should be charged with bribery, while Mandelblit considered not charging the prime minister at all.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-indicted-for-corruption-in-three-cases-in-first-for-a-sitting-pm/?utm_source=Breaking+News&utm_campaign=breaking-news-2020-01-28-2229698&utm_medium=email
According to the text of the indictment, released by the Justice Ministry in November, Netanyahu is charged with fraud and breach of trust in Cases 1000 and 2000, and bribery, fraud and breach of trust in Case 4000.
The filing of charges came hours after Netanyahu announced Tuesday morning that he was withdrawing his request for parliamentary immunity from the pending indictment in the corruption cases against him.
Responding to the prime minister's announcement, Gantz said Tuesday that Netanyahu cannot run the country while standing trial in the three three cases against him.
In Case 1000, involving accusations that Netanyahu received gifts and benefits from billionaire benefactors including Israeli-born Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan in exchange for favors, Mandelblit charged Netanyahu with fraud and breach of trust - the latter being a somewhat murkily defined offense relating to an official violating the trust the public has placed in him.
According to the indictment in that case, Netanyahu "Damaged the image of public service and the public's trust in it, in that while serving in public positions, and foremost as prime minister maintained for years an inappropriate relationship with billionaire benefactors."
The case is said to have been a contentious one in Mandelblit's office, with many prosecution officials reportedly arguing that Netanyahu should be charged with bribery, while Mandelblit considered not charging the prime minister at all.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-indicted-for-corruption-in-three-cases-in-first-for-a-sitting-pm/?utm_source=Breaking+News&utm_campaign=breaking-news-2020-01-28-2229698&utm_medium=email
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