• Israel: police recommend the prosecution of Netanyahu
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28 February 2019The Israeli attorney general, Avichai Mandelblit, confirmed his intention to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for corruption, breach of trust and fraud. He communicated it with a note, after the local media anticipated the news.

Mandelblit also confirmed that the prime minister will have the opportunity to defend himself in a hearing, before the indictments are formalized.

The inquiries
The investigations for which Mandelblit has decided the indictment are three. The first, Case 1000, concerns the suspicion of having accepted gifts from entrepreneurs in exchange for favors. The second is the Case 2000 on contacts with the publisher of the daily newspaper 'Yediot Ahronot' for informative coverage in favor of a reduction in the circulation of a rival newspaper. The third is Case 4000 on reports between the telecommunications company Bezeq, which owns the Walla news site for favorable news coverage.

The indictment was requested by the police
In the first two cases, the prime minister is suspected of fraud and abuse of office, while in the last case he is also a victim of corruption. Netanyahu has always rejected the charges. Mandelblit's decision - which also set the hearing to allow the prime minister to defend himself - came after months of police investigations that, at the end, had asked the lawyer to prosecute Netanyahu. In a final attempt, the Likud asked the Supreme Court today to have Mandelblit postpone the announcement of the decision to after the April 9th ​​vote.

Netanyahu: against me witch hunts
The Israeli premier talks about allegations of corruption against him as a "witch hunt" aimed at removing him, after the attorney general announced his intention to indict him. On TV, the prime minister said he wanted to stay in the saddle for a long time.

Laborists call for Netanyahu's resignation
The immediate resignation of Benjamin Netanyahu was invoked by the opposition Labor party leader Avi Gabbai immediately after the publication of the text in which State attorney Avichay Mandelblit announced his indictment. "The Israelis do not want corrupt leadership - said Gabbai - then resign, put an end to this shame".

Likud: is a victim of political persecution
For his part, the Likud replies that Netanyahu is the victim of a "persecution" and that he should be considered innocent until a court has issued a sentence against him.

The other reactions
On the far left, MP Ayman Odeh says that "the port of Netanyahu is a prison". The extreme right is instead replied that he has the right to be considered innocent until proven guilty. "In any case it remains the most suitable leader to lead the country".