The case has supplanted the Covid in the Israeli media and social networks: Benyamin Netanyahu, prosecuted since 2019 in three corruption cases, would have received an offer from the prosecution to put an end to the legal actions against him.
→ REREAD. Israel: Binyamin Netanyahu, a breathless political beast
Lawyers for the former prime minister and current opposition leader have reportedly contacted Attorney General Avishai Mendelblit to explore the possibilities of a deal. Binyamin Netanyahu, 72, is charged with fraud in three separate cases. In the first, justice reproaches him for his influence in exchange for valuable gifts; the other two relate to his manipulation of two major media groups.
The risk of ineligibility for seven years
As reported in the Israeli press, the conditions set out by prosecutor Avishai Mendelblit on Friday January 14 are clear: to avoid prison terms and a lengthy trial, Benyamin Netanyahu would agree to be sentenced for fraud and breach of trust to at least three months in prison, which will be commuted to community service. The statesman must also acknowledge having had a “immoral behavior”, which will make him ineligible for at least seven years.
If implemented, such an agreement is likely to cause a real shock wave in the Israeli political landscape. Far from representing the majority of the Israeli electorate, the current government, which presents itself as a national unity coalition, was formed only in opposition to Netanyahu. In a series of repeated elections, Netanyahu’s Likud won the popular vote each time – only the personality and the pans of its leader prevented his natural camp from winning in parliament to be reappointed as Prime Minister. The temptation would be great for the right-wing figures present in the current government to scuttle the coalition.
A family matter
In recent weeks, media coverage of Netanyahu’s affairs has intensified, in part due to the testimony of a former confidant turned star prosecution witness. Nir Hefetz’s appearances at the helm left little doubt about the manipulations of the Walla! website, at the time the second most popular source of information in Israel. They also showed the preponderant place occupied by those close to Netanyahu, starting with his wife Sara, in the affairs of the site, and by extension in those of the state. Israel already knew the personality of its eternal first lady, but under oath, the portrait of a vain and angry woman took flesh.
Yet it is Netanyahu’s family that is blocking the market, according to Israeli media. Those close to him would have a hard time getting used to the idea of “Bibi” withdrawing from public life. As for the Israelis, the majority of them, whatever their political color, want to see the conclusion of the trial.
20,000 donors for a monster kitty
Sunday evening January 16, hundreds of people demonstrated in front of the residence of Netanyahu’s lawyer, where the family had gathered. He came out to boos: ” You coward ! » At the same time, a right-wing columnist launched an online campaign to “protect the leader of our camp”. Within twenty-four hours, the jackpot had already risen to half the target amount – more than 2.5 million shekels (around €700,000). We do not yet know what the funds will be used for, collected from nearly 20,000 people: the legal vagueness is set around donations concerning politicians’ lawyer fees.
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