30 apr 2020
Pro-Netanyahu protesters demonstrate outside the High Court in Jerusalem
Mandelblit warns that appointing prime minister charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust could be problematic, but says High Court should not deny will of majority of MKs; hundreds attend pro and anti-Netanyahu protests ahead of Sunday court hearing
There is no legal impediment to an indicted lawmaker serving as prime minister, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit wrote Thursday, but warned that appointment of premier under serious criminal indictment could be problematic.
The court will Sunday hear petitions against Benjamin Netanyahu serving as prime minister due to the charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust against him.
"Despite the significant difficulties that arise, they do not constitute grounds for judicial intervention that would deny the majority of the Knesset supporting the establishment of a new Israeli government presided over by MK Netanyahu,” Mandelblit wrote in his opinion to the High Court ahead of the hearing.
Mandelblit also called on the court not to invalidate the coalition agreement, but severely criticized the terms of the deal.
Hundreds of protesters held pro and anti-Netanyahu protests outside the High Court in Jerusalem on Thursday, ahead of the hearing on Sunday.
Around 100 people, many waving Israeli flags and maintaining mandatory social distancing, staged a demonstration against what they called court intervention in the democratic process.
They held banners that read "The High Court is ruining democracy" and chanted, "the people are the sovereign."
On Sunday the court is scheduled to hear petitions from several nonprofit advocacy groups against the coalition government deal reached by Netanyahu and his main political opponent, former IDF chief Benny Gantz.
The two reached a power-sharing agreement earlier this month after more than a year of political stalemate and three deadlocked national elections.
Under the deal, Netanyahu and Gantz agreed to share the premiership, with Netanyahu serving as prime minister the first 18 months and Gantz serving the next 18 months. It also includes a clause to advance plans to annex parts of the West Bank, including Israeli settlements, starting July 1.
The groups are asking the court to ban any indicted politician, including Netanyahu, from being allowed to form a new government.
Netanyahu was charged earlier this year with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He has denied any wrongdoing and claims the indictments are part of a political witch hunt. His trial is scheduled to begin next month.
If the court rules in favor of the petitioners, the Netanyahu-Gantz deal could unravel, plunging the country into the fourth election in just over a year.
Mandelblit warns that appointing prime minister charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust could be problematic, but says High Court should not deny will of majority of MKs; hundreds attend pro and anti-Netanyahu protests ahead of Sunday court hearing
There is no legal impediment to an indicted lawmaker serving as prime minister, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit wrote Thursday, but warned that appointment of premier under serious criminal indictment could be problematic.
The court will Sunday hear petitions against Benjamin Netanyahu serving as prime minister due to the charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust against him.
"Despite the significant difficulties that arise, they do not constitute grounds for judicial intervention that would deny the majority of the Knesset supporting the establishment of a new Israeli government presided over by MK Netanyahu,” Mandelblit wrote in his opinion to the High Court ahead of the hearing.
Mandelblit also called on the court not to invalidate the coalition agreement, but severely criticized the terms of the deal.
Hundreds of protesters held pro and anti-Netanyahu protests outside the High Court in Jerusalem on Thursday, ahead of the hearing on Sunday.
Around 100 people, many waving Israeli flags and maintaining mandatory social distancing, staged a demonstration against what they called court intervention in the democratic process.
They held banners that read "The High Court is ruining democracy" and chanted, "the people are the sovereign."
On Sunday the court is scheduled to hear petitions from several nonprofit advocacy groups against the coalition government deal reached by Netanyahu and his main political opponent, former IDF chief Benny Gantz.
The two reached a power-sharing agreement earlier this month after more than a year of political stalemate and three deadlocked national elections.
Under the deal, Netanyahu and Gantz agreed to share the premiership, with Netanyahu serving as prime minister the first 18 months and Gantz serving the next 18 months. It also includes a clause to advance plans to annex parts of the West Bank, including Israeli settlements, starting July 1.
The groups are asking the court to ban any indicted politician, including Netanyahu, from being allowed to form a new government.
Netanyahu was charged earlier this year with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He has denied any wrongdoing and claims the indictments are part of a political witch hunt. His trial is scheduled to begin next month.
If the court rules in favor of the petitioners, the Netanyahu-Gantz deal could unravel, plunging the country into the fourth election in just over a year.
25 apr 2020
During coalition negotiations with Blue & White leader Benny Gantz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded a guarantee that the state would provide him with “housing arrangements” during Gantz’ tenure as premier.
According to the agreement between Blue & White and Likud, Netanyahu will vacate the prime minister's chair in favor of Gantz in October 2021 for an 18-month period in which Israel will have to arrange and pay for Netanyahu's living expenses.
Netanyahu’s demand is an unusual one, given that he already owns three houses: The first is a splendid villa in the tony city of Caesarea estimated to be worth approximately NIS 20 million.
The second is a penthouse in Jerusalem valued at NIS 10 million and the third is another house in Jerusalem, which Netanyahu inherited along with his brother.
The Prime Minister's Office declined this week to explain why Netanyahu needs the state-funded housing when he steps down. A Likud spokesmen said: “No response.”
For years, the state has paid for Netanyahu's living expenses at his Caesarea home, even though he has lived in the prime minister's official residence in Jerusalem since 2009, which is also funded by the state.
According to data released between 2009 and 2015, it was revealed that state has spent millions catering to the whims of the Netanyahu family, prompting the Prime Minister's Office to refuse to release anymore information on the matter.
In 2010, the state allocated NIS 3.6 million to the Prime Minister's Office, which included the expenses of the houses in Caesarea and in Jerusalem.
In 2011, the budget given to the Prime Minister's Office grew to NIS 4.1 million, while the house in Caesarea received approximately NIS 184,000.
In 2012, the budget of the Prime Minister's Office again increased, this time to NIS 5.4 million, while the budget for house in Caesarea also increased to approximately NIS 318,000.
In 2013, the expenses of the Prime Minister's Office were NIS 4.2 million, including NIS 183,000 allocated to the house in Caesarea.
In 2014, budget for the Prime Minister's Office was NIS 3 million, while the budget for house in Caesarea was approximately NIS 284,000.
In 2015 the expenses for the Prime Minister's Office reached NIS 3.6 million, while the budget for house in Caesarea also grew to approximately NIS 298,000.
In 2019, Netanyahu renovated his home in Caesarea, a move that cost the state NIS 160,000.
The PM’s Office has also approved an investment of NIS 1.6 million in Netanyahu's house in Caesarea, due to what it said were “severe security flaws that demand immediate attention.”
In July 2015, the Movement for the Freedom of Information asked the Prime Minister's Office to provide the details of its expenses. The request was denied, prompting the Movement to petition Jerusalem District Court, but that was also rejected.
According to Judge Yoram Noam, there was "no public interest" in the breakdown of the expenses, arguing that their details “and cannot contribute to a relevant public debate that was more than mere gossip.”
In February 2019, the Movement appealed to the Supreme Court against the lower court's decision, arguing that the the district court ignored regulations that make clear exactly what expenses the state is allowed to provide an incumbent prime minister.
A decision on the appeal has not yet been made.
According to the agreement between Blue & White and Likud, Netanyahu will vacate the prime minister's chair in favor of Gantz in October 2021 for an 18-month period in which Israel will have to arrange and pay for Netanyahu's living expenses.
Netanyahu’s demand is an unusual one, given that he already owns three houses: The first is a splendid villa in the tony city of Caesarea estimated to be worth approximately NIS 20 million.
The second is a penthouse in Jerusalem valued at NIS 10 million and the third is another house in Jerusalem, which Netanyahu inherited along with his brother.
The Prime Minister's Office declined this week to explain why Netanyahu needs the state-funded housing when he steps down. A Likud spokesmen said: “No response.”
For years, the state has paid for Netanyahu's living expenses at his Caesarea home, even though he has lived in the prime minister's official residence in Jerusalem since 2009, which is also funded by the state.
According to data released between 2009 and 2015, it was revealed that state has spent millions catering to the whims of the Netanyahu family, prompting the Prime Minister's Office to refuse to release anymore information on the matter.
In 2010, the state allocated NIS 3.6 million to the Prime Minister's Office, which included the expenses of the houses in Caesarea and in Jerusalem.
In 2011, the budget given to the Prime Minister's Office grew to NIS 4.1 million, while the house in Caesarea received approximately NIS 184,000.
In 2012, the budget of the Prime Minister's Office again increased, this time to NIS 5.4 million, while the budget for house in Caesarea also increased to approximately NIS 318,000.
In 2013, the expenses of the Prime Minister's Office were NIS 4.2 million, including NIS 183,000 allocated to the house in Caesarea.
In 2014, budget for the Prime Minister's Office was NIS 3 million, while the budget for house in Caesarea was approximately NIS 284,000.
In 2015 the expenses for the Prime Minister's Office reached NIS 3.6 million, while the budget for house in Caesarea also grew to approximately NIS 298,000.
In 2019, Netanyahu renovated his home in Caesarea, a move that cost the state NIS 160,000.
The PM’s Office has also approved an investment of NIS 1.6 million in Netanyahu's house in Caesarea, due to what it said were “severe security flaws that demand immediate attention.”
In July 2015, the Movement for the Freedom of Information asked the Prime Minister's Office to provide the details of its expenses. The request was denied, prompting the Movement to petition Jerusalem District Court, but that was also rejected.
According to Judge Yoram Noam, there was "no public interest" in the breakdown of the expenses, arguing that their details “and cannot contribute to a relevant public debate that was more than mere gossip.”
In February 2019, the Movement appealed to the Supreme Court against the lower court's decision, arguing that the the district court ignored regulations that make clear exactly what expenses the state is allowed to provide an incumbent prime minister.
A decision on the appeal has not yet been made.
21 mar 2020
In an interview with Channel 12, PM called on an 'emergency' unity government with Blue & White headed by Benny Gantz, who Netanyahu says would assume the post of premier for a second year-and-a-half term in September 2021; Lapid dismisses PM's offer as insincere
The prime minister Saturday said he is ready to step down next year as part of a proposed power-sharing agreement with his chief rival meant to steer the country through the coronavirus crisis and end a year-long political deadlock.
Benjamin Netanyahu made his proposal during a nationally televised interview, calling for the formation of a three-year "emergency" unity government with the rival Blue and White Party.
Netanyahu told Channel 12 TV that he would remain as prime minister for the first year and a half, and allow Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to assume the post for a second year-and-a-half term in September 2021. He said each party would have an equal number of seats in the Cabinet.
"I will give up the prime minister's post in another year and a half," Netanyahu said.
Yair Lapid, a senior Blue and White leader, dismissed Netanyahu's unity offer as insincere. "Next week, we will go to choose a new parliament speaker and work to battle coronavirus for the good of the people," he said.
Israel is facing a growing threat from the coronavirus pandemic. It has detected nearly 900 cases and on Friday reported its first death. With the public largely confined to their homes, the economy appears to be in great danger, with tens of thousands of people losing their jobs.
Blue and White has accused Netanyahu of using the coronavirus crisis to undermine the country's democratic institutions and try to derail his scheduled trial on corruption charges.
Senior members of Gantz' party have expressed skepticism at previous power-sharing overtures by Netanyahu, concerned that he would not follow through on his promises to cede power.
Israel this month held its third inconclusive election in under a year. Netanyahu's Likud emerged as the largest single party, but fell short of securing a required parliamentary majority.
A slim majority of lawmakers has endorsed Gantz as their choice for prime minister, though it is unclear whether he will be able to cobble together a governing coalition either.
Gantz now has just over three weeks to form a new government. In the meantime, he is trying to push through legislation in parliament that would in effect prevent Netanyahu from serving as prime minister in the future. The legislation would impose term limits on the prime minister and bar a politician indicted on criminal charges, like Netanyahu, from being prime minister.
Last week, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, a member of Likud, suspended the parliament's activities, preventing the newly elected legislature from choosing a new speaker and forming the committees needed to push through Blue and White's legislative agenda.
Netanyahu's hand-picked justice minister last week also shut down most of the court system, delaying the prime minister's trial until at least May.
Netanyahu's opponents have accused him and his surrogates of undermining the country's democratic institutions. Blue and White planned to file a Supreme Court challenge on Sunday requiring parliament to resume its activities.
With the public ordered to stay at home, tens of thousands of people tuned in on social media late Saturday to a "virtual protest," accusing Netanyahu of endangering the country's democratic foundations. Former directors of the Mossad and Shin Bet security agencies were among the speakers.
"Benjamin Netanyahu, get yourself together and release us from being your hostages," said Yuval Diskin, a former Shin Bet director. "Do it for the good of the country and the people."
More than 275,000 people have been infected by the coronavirus worldwide. The virus has killed more than 11,000 people, while more than 88,000 have recovered.
Most people only experience minor flu-like symptoms from the coronavirus and recover within a few weeks, but the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those who appear well. It can cause severe illness, including pneumonia, in some patients, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health problems.
The prime minister Saturday said he is ready to step down next year as part of a proposed power-sharing agreement with his chief rival meant to steer the country through the coronavirus crisis and end a year-long political deadlock.
Benjamin Netanyahu made his proposal during a nationally televised interview, calling for the formation of a three-year "emergency" unity government with the rival Blue and White Party.
Netanyahu told Channel 12 TV that he would remain as prime minister for the first year and a half, and allow Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to assume the post for a second year-and-a-half term in September 2021. He said each party would have an equal number of seats in the Cabinet.
"I will give up the prime minister's post in another year and a half," Netanyahu said.
Yair Lapid, a senior Blue and White leader, dismissed Netanyahu's unity offer as insincere. "Next week, we will go to choose a new parliament speaker and work to battle coronavirus for the good of the people," he said.
Israel is facing a growing threat from the coronavirus pandemic. It has detected nearly 900 cases and on Friday reported its first death. With the public largely confined to their homes, the economy appears to be in great danger, with tens of thousands of people losing their jobs.
Blue and White has accused Netanyahu of using the coronavirus crisis to undermine the country's democratic institutions and try to derail his scheduled trial on corruption charges.
Senior members of Gantz' party have expressed skepticism at previous power-sharing overtures by Netanyahu, concerned that he would not follow through on his promises to cede power.
Israel this month held its third inconclusive election in under a year. Netanyahu's Likud emerged as the largest single party, but fell short of securing a required parliamentary majority.
A slim majority of lawmakers has endorsed Gantz as their choice for prime minister, though it is unclear whether he will be able to cobble together a governing coalition either.
Gantz now has just over three weeks to form a new government. In the meantime, he is trying to push through legislation in parliament that would in effect prevent Netanyahu from serving as prime minister in the future. The legislation would impose term limits on the prime minister and bar a politician indicted on criminal charges, like Netanyahu, from being prime minister.
Last week, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, a member of Likud, suspended the parliament's activities, preventing the newly elected legislature from choosing a new speaker and forming the committees needed to push through Blue and White's legislative agenda.
Netanyahu's hand-picked justice minister last week also shut down most of the court system, delaying the prime minister's trial until at least May.
Netanyahu's opponents have accused him and his surrogates of undermining the country's democratic institutions. Blue and White planned to file a Supreme Court challenge on Sunday requiring parliament to resume its activities.
With the public ordered to stay at home, tens of thousands of people tuned in on social media late Saturday to a "virtual protest," accusing Netanyahu of endangering the country's democratic foundations. Former directors of the Mossad and Shin Bet security agencies were among the speakers.
"Benjamin Netanyahu, get yourself together and release us from being your hostages," said Yuval Diskin, a former Shin Bet director. "Do it for the good of the country and the people."
More than 275,000 people have been infected by the coronavirus worldwide. The virus has killed more than 11,000 people, while more than 88,000 have recovered.
Most people only experience minor flu-like symptoms from the coronavirus and recover within a few weeks, but the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those who appear well. It can cause severe illness, including pneumonia, in some patients, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health problems.
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