• Tweeter

  • republish

Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu at an Appointment Ceremony at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, September 25, 2019. REUTERS / Ronen Zvulun

The Israeli Attorney General launches this Wednesday, October 2 the last step before the possible indictment of Benyamin Netanyahu. The magistrate announced in February that he intended to launch a case against the prime minister for corruption, fraud and breach of trust. But before formally pronouncing the indictment, he wanted to hear the head of the government and his lawyers. This audition begins this Wednesday and should last four days.

With our correspondent in Jerusalem, Guilhem Delteil

Benyamin Netanyahu himself should not go to this hearing. The prime minister will be represented by his lawyers while he focuses on political affairs: his difficulties in forming a new government and the return of the Knesset, Parliament, Thursday.

During this hearing, his defense will attempt to refute the incriminating evidence presented by the Attorney General. A task for which she asked for an extension of two to four days of the duration planned for this hearing.

The heavier case, the one in which Benyamin Netanyahu is accused of favoring a telecommunications group in exchange for more favorable treatment through an information site belonging to him, should occupy half the time.

The other two files - the gifts received by rich businessmen and the agreement with the boss of a major Israeli newspaper to obtain less critical coverage - should be the subject of a day of debate each. .

With the demand of this lengthening, the lawyers of Benyamin Netanyahu assure to want to be minute. But the approach is also denounced as an attempt to save time. Their written answer to the prosecution's arguments was only one page. A conciseness denounced as a lack of seriousness by the Attorney General himself.

► Analysis

This step is a setback for Benyamin Netanyahu, said Ilan Greilsammer, professor of political science at Bar-Ilan University in Tel Aviv and Ashkelon University College.

If the Attorney General of the State says after the hearing "I listened well to what you said, I do not accept it, you are accused of corruption, I refer you to the criminal courts", there is people who will run out of arguments to defend Netanyahu.

Ilan Greilsammer, political scientist 01/10/2019 - by Guilhem Delteil Play