28 jan 2020
Netanyahu charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in charge sheet presented to Jerusalem District Court; move marks first time in Israeli history that a sitting premier has been charge; Justice Ministry says withdrawal of immunity request led to filing
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit on Tuesday filed an indictment against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Jerusalem District Court, on three separate charges of corruption.
The move came shortly after the prime minister, who is in Washington for the roll out of Donald Trump's Mideast peace plan, withdrew his request for parliamentary immunity from prosecution for bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
This is the first time in Israel's 71-year history that a sitting prime minister has been indicted. Former prime minister Ehud Olmert resigned before the charges that ultimately led to a prison sentence could be brought against him.
A spokesperson for the Justice Ministry said that once a member of Knesset rescinds his immunity request, he must be treated like any other citizen, requiring the ministry to immediately file the indictment with the court.
Mandelblit announced his decision to indict Netanyahu on November 21, 2019. In his comments on the indictment at the time, Mandelblit said he arrived at the conclusion with a heavy heart.
"All of Israel's citizens, including myself, look up to our elected officials and foremost the prime minister, and view them as our democratically elected leaders," he said.
Netanyahu slammed the November decision as an attempt at a "government coup," calling the allegations made against him false.
The prime minister also criticized the police and prosecution, claiming the public had lost faith in those institutions.
The indictments relate to three separate investigations, known as Cases 1000, 2000 and 4000 (Case 3000, which related to the purchase of German submarines by the Israeli Navy, did not lead to charges against the prime minister).
The most serious charges are connected to Case 4000 and include bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu is accused of passing regulations that gave telecom magnate Shaul Elovitch benefits worth over $250 million to his company Bezeq. In return, Bezeq's news site, Walla, published favorable articles about Netanyahu and his family. Shaul Elovitch and his wife Iris have also been charged with bribery.
Netanyahu is also charged with fraud and breach of trust in Case 2000, in which the prime minister and Yedioth Ahronoth and Ynet owner Arnon Mozes allegedly discussed mutual assistance to promote one another's interests during private meetings that began in 2009 and lasted for several years. Mozes has been charged with bribery over the affair.
Case 1000 also involves charges of fraud and breach of trust, in which Netanyahu's gifts of champagne from billionaires Arnon Milchan and James Packer turned into a sort of supply line.
The indictment said Netanyahu assisted the Israeli Hollywood mogul Milchan with extending his U.S. visa. It was not immediately clear what, if anything, Packer received in return.
Associates of the prime minister on Tuesday slammed the timing of the indictment as well as the charges, saying it was aimed at overshadowing Netanyahu's presence in Washington as U.S. President Donald Trump unveils his peace plan.
"If anyone else had any doubt that there was obsessive persecution of Prime Minister Netanyahu, they now have yet more clear evidence of this," the associates said.
"The eagerness to file the baseless indictment against the prime minister was so great that they could not wait even one day until the end of the historic summit in Washington, one of the most important [events] in the history of the state."
Defense Minister Naftali Bennett echoed this message, saying: "Netanyahu is in Washington for an historic event, why is the prosecution is such a hurry to humiliate him?"
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit on Tuesday filed an indictment against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Jerusalem District Court, on three separate charges of corruption.
The move came shortly after the prime minister, who is in Washington for the roll out of Donald Trump's Mideast peace plan, withdrew his request for parliamentary immunity from prosecution for bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
This is the first time in Israel's 71-year history that a sitting prime minister has been indicted. Former prime minister Ehud Olmert resigned before the charges that ultimately led to a prison sentence could be brought against him.
A spokesperson for the Justice Ministry said that once a member of Knesset rescinds his immunity request, he must be treated like any other citizen, requiring the ministry to immediately file the indictment with the court.
Mandelblit announced his decision to indict Netanyahu on November 21, 2019. In his comments on the indictment at the time, Mandelblit said he arrived at the conclusion with a heavy heart.
"All of Israel's citizens, including myself, look up to our elected officials and foremost the prime minister, and view them as our democratically elected leaders," he said.
Netanyahu slammed the November decision as an attempt at a "government coup," calling the allegations made against him false.
The prime minister also criticized the police and prosecution, claiming the public had lost faith in those institutions.
The indictments relate to three separate investigations, known as Cases 1000, 2000 and 4000 (Case 3000, which related to the purchase of German submarines by the Israeli Navy, did not lead to charges against the prime minister).
The most serious charges are connected to Case 4000 and include bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu is accused of passing regulations that gave telecom magnate Shaul Elovitch benefits worth over $250 million to his company Bezeq. In return, Bezeq's news site, Walla, published favorable articles about Netanyahu and his family. Shaul Elovitch and his wife Iris have also been charged with bribery.
Netanyahu is also charged with fraud and breach of trust in Case 2000, in which the prime minister and Yedioth Ahronoth and Ynet owner Arnon Mozes allegedly discussed mutual assistance to promote one another's interests during private meetings that began in 2009 and lasted for several years. Mozes has been charged with bribery over the affair.
Case 1000 also involves charges of fraud and breach of trust, in which Netanyahu's gifts of champagne from billionaires Arnon Milchan and James Packer turned into a sort of supply line.
The indictment said Netanyahu assisted the Israeli Hollywood mogul Milchan with extending his U.S. visa. It was not immediately clear what, if anything, Packer received in return.
Associates of the prime minister on Tuesday slammed the timing of the indictment as well as the charges, saying it was aimed at overshadowing Netanyahu's presence in Washington as U.S. President Donald Trump unveils his peace plan.
"If anyone else had any doubt that there was obsessive persecution of Prime Minister Netanyahu, they now have yet more clear evidence of this," the associates said.
"The eagerness to file the baseless indictment against the prime minister was so great that they could not wait even one day until the end of the historic summit in Washington, one of the most important [events] in the history of the state."
Defense Minister Naftali Bennett echoed this message, saying: "Netanyahu is in Washington for an historic event, why is the prosecution is such a hurry to humiliate him?"
The Knesset was scheduled to vote to proceed with debating the prime minister's immunity bid; AG Mandelblitt can now announce the start of Netanyahu's criminal trial at the Jerusalem District Court
Prime Minister Netanyahu on Tuesday retracted his bid for parliamentary immunity from prosecution on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
The Knesset was scheduled to vote Wednesday on whether to proceed with debating the immunity request.
Netanyahu informed Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein of his decision Tuesday.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit can now announce the beginning of Netanyahu's criminal trial, set to be held at the Jerusalem District Court.
Netanyahu called the Knesset debate "a circus" and claimed it was another step in the unfair persecution against him."
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, the prime minister wrote: "This is a fateful time for the people of Israel, while I am in the United States on an historic mission to formalize the final borders of the country and ensure our security for generations to come, the Knesset is about to begin the circus of removing my immunity."
Netanyahu also claimed this was further proof of what he called obsessive persecution of him.
"Instead of understanding the importance of the hour, they are busy with petty politics that is harmful to our country," he said.
After realizing his efforts to block a Knesset vote would not succeed, Netanyahu had been considering retracting his bid to prevent a vote that would have, in his view, caused more damage than good.
The timing of the Knesset debate was set to coincide with Netanyahu's visit to the White House, which would have led to a "split-screen" situation with the vote on one side and the White House announcement of Donald Trump's peace plan on the other.
Officials in Netanyahu's Likud party on Tuesday praised the prime minister for dropping his request.
"Netanyahu did good. The immunity request was detrimental and it would have been better if it had never even been made," the officials said.
Blue & White leader Benny Gantz said Netanyahu would now go on trial for corruption and voters would have to choose a leader working for their interests and not his own.
Gantz added that no one can run the country when facing such charges.
Labor-Gesher-Meretz leader Amir Peretz called for Netanyahu to end his bid to be re-elected prime minister as well as his bid for immunity from prosecution.
"It's time for Netanyahu to leave the political arena, deal with his criminal cases and leave us to worry about immunity for those who genuinely need it," Peretz said.
Prime Minister Netanyahu on Tuesday retracted his bid for parliamentary immunity from prosecution on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
The Knesset was scheduled to vote Wednesday on whether to proceed with debating the immunity request.
Netanyahu informed Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein of his decision Tuesday.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit can now announce the beginning of Netanyahu's criminal trial, set to be held at the Jerusalem District Court.
Netanyahu called the Knesset debate "a circus" and claimed it was another step in the unfair persecution against him."
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, the prime minister wrote: "This is a fateful time for the people of Israel, while I am in the United States on an historic mission to formalize the final borders of the country and ensure our security for generations to come, the Knesset is about to begin the circus of removing my immunity."
Netanyahu also claimed this was further proof of what he called obsessive persecution of him.
"Instead of understanding the importance of the hour, they are busy with petty politics that is harmful to our country," he said.
After realizing his efforts to block a Knesset vote would not succeed, Netanyahu had been considering retracting his bid to prevent a vote that would have, in his view, caused more damage than good.
The timing of the Knesset debate was set to coincide with Netanyahu's visit to the White House, which would have led to a "split-screen" situation with the vote on one side and the White House announcement of Donald Trump's peace plan on the other.
Officials in Netanyahu's Likud party on Tuesday praised the prime minister for dropping his request.
"Netanyahu did good. The immunity request was detrimental and it would have been better if it had never even been made," the officials said.
Blue & White leader Benny Gantz said Netanyahu would now go on trial for corruption and voters would have to choose a leader working for their interests and not his own.
Gantz added that no one can run the country when facing such charges.
Labor-Gesher-Meretz leader Amir Peretz called for Netanyahu to end his bid to be re-elected prime minister as well as his bid for immunity from prosecution.
"It's time for Netanyahu to leave the political arena, deal with his criminal cases and leave us to worry about immunity for those who genuinely need it," Peretz said.
27 jan 2020
Former IDF chief calls for shared dialogue with Palestinians and neighboring countries; suggests release of Israeli captives in Gaza should be included in peace plan
Blue & White Chairman Benny Gantz said on Monday that he will work to implement Trump's peace plan for the Middle East immediately after the elections in March.
"The president's peace plan is a significant and historic milestone, indeed," Gantz told reporters at his Washington hotel after his meeting with Trump. "Immediately after the elections, I will work toward implementing it from within a stable functioning Israeli government, in tandem with other countries in our region."
Gantz said he and Trump discussed "matters of the utmost importance to Israel's future and security," but he would not disclose any further details for the time being.
"During the meeting, we talked about the importance of a shared dialogue with the Palestinians, the other countries in the region and Jordanian King Abdullah II," said Gantz.
Gantz thanked Trump for his "deep support and for the citizens and security of Israel, especially with the U.S. assistance against the Iranian threat and its proxies, recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and moving the American embassy to Jerusalem."
The former IDF chief said that he emphasized the issue of the Israelis held in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, stressing that their release should be included in the plan.
Gantz also addressed Netanyahu's bid to score parliamentary immunity from graft charges he faces, which will be discussed on Tuesday at the Knesset plenum.
"No one has the right to lead an entire country at such complex times, both politically and security-wise, while he's completely dedicated to his personal interests."
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien were also present at the meeting.
After meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier Monday, Trump announced he will officially publish the plan's details on Tuesday.
Blue & White Chairman Benny Gantz said on Monday that he will work to implement Trump's peace plan for the Middle East immediately after the elections in March.
"The president's peace plan is a significant and historic milestone, indeed," Gantz told reporters at his Washington hotel after his meeting with Trump. "Immediately after the elections, I will work toward implementing it from within a stable functioning Israeli government, in tandem with other countries in our region."
Gantz said he and Trump discussed "matters of the utmost importance to Israel's future and security," but he would not disclose any further details for the time being.
"During the meeting, we talked about the importance of a shared dialogue with the Palestinians, the other countries in the region and Jordanian King Abdullah II," said Gantz.
Gantz thanked Trump for his "deep support and for the citizens and security of Israel, especially with the U.S. assistance against the Iranian threat and its proxies, recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and moving the American embassy to Jerusalem."
The former IDF chief said that he emphasized the issue of the Israelis held in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, stressing that their release should be included in the plan.
Gantz also addressed Netanyahu's bid to score parliamentary immunity from graft charges he faces, which will be discussed on Tuesday at the Knesset plenum.
"No one has the right to lead an entire country at such complex times, both politically and security-wise, while he's completely dedicated to his personal interests."
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien were also present at the meeting.
After meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier Monday, Trump announced he will officially publish the plan's details on Tuesday.
19 jan 2020
AG says by law a defendant cannot receive all of the documents files until the indictment is presented to the court, which cannot be done until a special Knesset committee votes on PM's request to receive parliamentary immunity
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit refused on Sunday a request made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legal defense team to receive the full investigation material in the three corruption cases against Israel's leader.
Mandelblit said that Netanyahu will receive the files only after the indictment is handed over to the court.
The process of filing the indictment to court is being delayed by Netanyahu's request to receive immunity from prosecution. Mandelblit cannot start trial proceedings until the special committee votes on the immunity request.
In a fiery response, the prime minister slammed the attorney general, saying “how can one fight for the truth if the material show extortion under threat of state witnesses, selective law enforcement and setting judicial precedents unheard of in mankind's history is hidden?”
“Anyone acting in a non-transparent manner probably wants to attain a result that was planned in advance,” Netanyahu added.
According to Mandelblit, “at this stage, the essence of the investigation files is in [the lawyers’] hands and on its basis, they made their different arguments during the hearing process and in regard to the immunity [request]."
“These files contain all the investigations of the suspects,” Mandelblit continued.
“Hundreds of testimonies, tens of thousands of investigation transcripts, recordings, accounting material… that form the essence of the investigation files regarding your client.”
Netanyahu is indicted for breach of trust, fraud, and bribery.
Knesset approved last week the establishment of a special committee which will deliberate on the request made by Netanyahu to receive immunity from prosecution. The committee is set to convene sometime this week.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit refused on Sunday a request made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legal defense team to receive the full investigation material in the three corruption cases against Israel's leader.
Mandelblit said that Netanyahu will receive the files only after the indictment is handed over to the court.
The process of filing the indictment to court is being delayed by Netanyahu's request to receive immunity from prosecution. Mandelblit cannot start trial proceedings until the special committee votes on the immunity request.
In a fiery response, the prime minister slammed the attorney general, saying “how can one fight for the truth if the material show extortion under threat of state witnesses, selective law enforcement and setting judicial precedents unheard of in mankind's history is hidden?”
“Anyone acting in a non-transparent manner probably wants to attain a result that was planned in advance,” Netanyahu added.
According to Mandelblit, “at this stage, the essence of the investigation files is in [the lawyers’] hands and on its basis, they made their different arguments during the hearing process and in regard to the immunity [request]."
“These files contain all the investigations of the suspects,” Mandelblit continued.
“Hundreds of testimonies, tens of thousands of investigation transcripts, recordings, accounting material… that form the essence of the investigation files regarding your client.”
Netanyahu is indicted for breach of trust, fraud, and bribery.
Knesset approved last week the establishment of a special committee which will deliberate on the request made by Netanyahu to receive immunity from prosecution. The committee is set to convene sometime this week.
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