Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Tensions Between Some Tahoe Residents and Wildlife Workers Become Unbearable

4 hours ago

California Republican Leader Calls for ‘Two State Solution’ Amid Redistricting Fight

4 hours ago

Three Dead in Minneapolis Shooting, Including Shooter, Justice Department Official Says

6 hours ago

Israeli Tanks Close in on Gaza City, Trump to Chair Meeting

7 hours ago

Wall Street Opens Muted in Countdown to Nvidia Earnings

7 hours ago

Fresno Leaders Voice ‘Full Support’ for Pismo’s Restaurant Manager in ICE Custody

23 hours ago

Poll: Katie Porter Holds Early Edge in California Governor’s Race

1 day ago

Just 38% of Americans Support Trump’s Use of Troops to Police DC, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

1 day ago

California Farming Couple Seeks $300 Million for Aspen Estate

1 day ago
Netanyahu’s Legal Saga Reaches Critical Stage in Israel
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
October 2, 2019

Share

JERUSALEM — Prosecutors began a pre-indictment hearing for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, opening a critical stage in a lengthy legal saga that threatens to end the career of the long-serving Israeli leader and has paralyzed the country’s political system.

“We are going to present not only the evidence everyone is aware of but also new evidence. We are sure that once we present our findings there will be no choice but to close the case.” — Netanyahu attorney Amit Haddad
Netanyahu’s lawyers sat down with Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit for over 10 hours of discussions that will determine whether criminal charges will be pressed against the prime minister in a series of corruption cases. If formal charges are filed, Netanyahu, who denies any wrongdoing, could come under heavy pressure to step down.
Mandelblit already has recommended that Netanyahu be indicted on fraud, breach of trust and bribery charges in three cases. Under Israeli law, Netanyahu is entitled to plead his case at a hearing in a last-ditch attempt to persuade prosecutors to drop their case.
Netanyahu did not appear at Wednesday’s hearing, sending instead a high-powered 10-member legal team. As they entered the Israeli Justice Ministry, his lawyers ruled out a plea bargain and expressed confidence that the charges would be dropped.
“We are going to present not only the evidence everyone is aware of but also new evidence. We are sure that once we present our findings there will be no choice but to close the case,” Netanyahu attorney Amit Haddad said.
Throughout the day, Netanyahu took to social media to make the case for his innocence, defiantly pledging that the case against him would “fall apart.”

Netanyahu Working to Stay on as Prime Minister

Netanyahu’s legal woes lie at the heart of a deadlock that has left the country with a caretaker government. In national elections last month, neither Netanyahu nor his chief challenger, Benny Gantz, secured the required parliamentary majority to form a new government.

“One man is holding the country hostage. One man is doing everything to lead us to elections: Benjamin Netanyahu.” Yair Lapid, a top Blue and White leader
Both men have expressed support for a unity government as a way out of the deadlock. But they remain far apart on who should lead it and what smaller parties would join them.
Gantz and his centrist Blue and White Party have so far rejected a partnership with Netanyahu, citing his legal woes. A failure to reach a deal could trigger an unprecedented third election in less than a year.
Netanyahu is desperate to stay on as prime minister, a post he can use as a pulpit as he tries to fend off any charges. Israeli law requires Cabinet ministers to step down if charged with a crime. But the law is vague for sitting prime ministers, meaning he could theoretically remain in the post if he is indicted, though he would likely face calls to step aside.
For this reason, his opponents accuse him of stalling in unity talks and pushing for another election, which would allow Netanyahu to remain as prime minister for at least another three months. Late Tuesday, Gantz abruptly called off a planned meeting with Netanyahu.
“One man is holding the country hostage,” said Yair Lapid, a top Blue and White leader. “One man is doing everything to lead us to elections: Benjamin Netanyahu.”
The allegations against Netanyahu include suspicions that he accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars of champagne and cigars from billionaire friends, offered to trade favors with a newspaper publisher and used his influence to help a wealthy telecom magnate in exchange for favorable coverage on a popular news site.

Gantz Would Likely Be Given a Chance to Form His Own Coalition

Netanyahu has called the allegations part of a witch hunt, lashing out against the media, police, prosecutors and the justice system. In last month’s election, he fell short of mustering a parliamentary majority in favor of granting him immunity from prosecution.
The hearing is expected to last at least four days, and it could take weeks for the attorney general to render his final decision. However, legal experts say the likelihood of an indictment is high, given the mountains of evidence collected by police over years of investigations and the prosecution’s seeming consensus of pursuing a trial.
Israel’s president, Reuven Rivlin, is responsible for designating a politician to try to form a coalition, and last week, he selected Netanyahu, believing he had the best chance of success. Netanyahu has up to six weeks to do so, but he has indicated he will give up before then if he feels he can’t reach a deal with Gantz.
Gantz would likely be given a chance to form his own coalition, though his odds of success appear slim. There are deep divisions among Gantz’s potential coalition allies, and Netanyahu’s Likud party has so far rejected his demand to have Netanyahu replaced as party leader.
If Gantz doesn’t succeed, Rivlin can select another legislator or he can set in motion what would be unprecedented third elections.
According to the final official results from the Sept. 17 elections, Blue and White finished first with 33 seats in the 120-seat parliament, just ahead of Netanyahu’s Likud with 32 seats. Netanyahu edged Gantz, however, 55-54 in the number of lawmakers who recommend him as prime minister, leaving both short of the magic number of 61.
[activecampaign form=29]

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

All UN Security Council Members, Except US, Say Famine in Gaza Is ‘Man-Made Crisis’

DON'T MISS

Trump’s Tax Bill Expands 0% Capital Gains Eligibility in 2025

DON'T MISS

Second-Highest Unemployment Rate Still In California

DON'T MISS

Trump Holds Gaza Policy Meeting With Blair and Kushner, White House Official Says

DON'T MISS

Commercial Vehicle Fire Closes Southbound I-5 Near Grapevine

DON'T MISS

Madera Man Faces Federal Charges for Firearm and Fake USPS Keys

DON'T MISS

Valley Hospitals Get Mixed Scores From Feds. See How Your Hospital Fared

DON'T MISS

Taylor Ward’s Home Run Surge Fueled by Hard Work, Fresno State Roots

DON'T MISS

Grand Jury Declines to Indict Man Arrested for Throwing Sandwich at US Agent, Source Says

DON'T MISS

Planned Visit by US Envoy Sparks Protests in Southern Lebanon

UP NEXT

Second-Highest Unemployment Rate Still In California

UP NEXT

Trump Holds Gaza Policy Meeting With Blair and Kushner, White House Official Says

UP NEXT

Planned Visit by US Envoy Sparks Protests in Southern Lebanon

UP NEXT

TikTok Owner ByteDance Sets Valuation at Over $330 Billion as Revenue Grows, Sources Say

UP NEXT

Israeli Tanks Close in on Gaza City, Trump to Chair Meeting

UP NEXT

Hamas Challenges Israeli Account of Gaza Hospital Casualties

UP NEXT

Poll: Californians Overwhelmingly Reject Trump’s Immigration Policies

UP NEXT

Leaked Audio Reveals Ex-Israeli Intelligence Chief Calling Gaza Deaths ‘Necessary’

UP NEXT

Poll: Katie Porter Holds Early Edge in California Governor’s Race

UP NEXT

Coarsegold Elementary Briefly Locked Down After Student Brings Starter Pistol

Trump Holds Gaza Policy Meeting With Blair and Kushner, White House Official Says

1 hour ago

Commercial Vehicle Fire Closes Southbound I-5 Near Grapevine

2 hours ago

Madera Man Faces Federal Charges for Firearm and Fake USPS Keys

2 hours ago

Valley Hospitals Get Mixed Scores From Feds. See How Your Hospital Fared

2 hours ago

Taylor Ward’s Home Run Surge Fueled by Hard Work, Fresno State Roots

2 hours ago

Grand Jury Declines to Indict Man Arrested for Throwing Sandwich at US Agent, Source Says

3 hours ago

Planned Visit by US Envoy Sparks Protests in Southern Lebanon

3 hours ago

Tensions Between Some Tahoe Residents and Wildlife Workers Become Unbearable

4 hours ago

California’s Environmental Agency Investigated by US Justice Department

4 hours ago

California Republican Leader Calls for ‘Two State Solution’ Amid Redistricting Fight

4 hours ago

All UN Security Council Members, Except US, Say Famine in Gaza Is ‘Man-Made Crisis’

UNITED NATIONS — All United Nations Security Council members, except the United States, on Wednesday said the famine in Gaza was a “manmade ...

26 minutes ago

United States Ambassador to the United Nations Dorothy Shea addresses a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the Israel and Palestinian conflict at U.N. Headquarters in New York City, U.S., August 27, 2025. (Reuters/Angelina Katsanis)
26 minutes ago

All UN Security Council Members, Except US, Say Famine in Gaza Is ‘Man-Made Crisis’

U.S. President Donald Trump waves while boarding Air Force One, as he departs for Alaska to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate for an end to the war in Ukraine, from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, U.S., August 15, 2025. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
1 hour ago

Trump’s Tax Bill Expands 0% Capital Gains Eligibility in 2025

1 hour ago

Second-Highest Unemployment Rate Still In California

President Donald Trump gestures during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 26, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

Trump Holds Gaza Policy Meeting With Blair and Kushner, White House Official Says

Southbound I-5 south of the Grapevine is closed as emergency crews respond to a fully engulfed commercial vehicle fire on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. (CHP)
2 hours ago

Commercial Vehicle Fire Closes Southbound I-5 Near Grapevine

Brian Hindman, 49, of Madera, was arrested Wednesday, August 27, 2025, on federal charges for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for possessing counterfeit U.S. Postal Service keys. (DOJ)
2 hours ago

Madera Man Faces Federal Charges for Firearm and Fake USPS Keys

Kaiser hospital and VA hospital CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES
2 hours ago

Valley Hospitals Get Mixed Scores From Feds. See How Your Hospital Fared

Taylor Ward the Angels
2 hours ago

Taylor Ward’s Home Run Surge Fueled by Hard Work, Fresno State Roots

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend