An hour before the start of a parliamentary session to study the Israeli Prime Minister's request for immunity, Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday (January 28th) that he would renounce the request. "I informed the President of Parliament that I was withdrawing my request for immunity. Later, I will annihilate the ridiculous allegations (...) made against me," said the Prime Minister, who was charged with corruption in a three cases.

"But for now, I will not let my political opponents use this to disturb the historic process that I am leading," added the Israeli Prime Minister, currently in Washington, where it is due to be announced today (5:00 p.m. GMT) the American "peace plan" for the Middle East.

"Witch hunt"

The Prime Minister was charged in November 2019 with corruption, embezzlement and breach of trust in three cases. He had asked at the beginning of January to the Parliament (Knesset) to grant him an immunity at the end of the next legislative elections of March 2, betting on his victory to protect himself from justice.

But he currently does not have a majority of supporters in the Knesset and the opposition parties have convinced a majority of deputies to examine his request for immunity before the elections. The deputies were to meet on Tuesday to decide on the creation of a committee to examine his request.

The Prime Minister proclaims his innocence and claims to be the victim of a "witch hunt" by the prosecution services and the media. "Since I did not have a fair trial, since all the rules of the Knesset were flouted (...), I decided not to let this unhealthy game continue," argued Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday.

Israeli law provides that any minister who is subject to criminal prosecution must resign, but this does not apply to the Prime Minister. If he can stay in office, Benjamin Netanyahu does not enjoy any immunity from justice, hence his initial request to Parliament in early January.

His request for immunity withdrawn, legal proceedings against Mr. Netanyahu could now accelerate, and a trial will begin even before the legislative elections on March 2, according to Israeli journalists.

With AFP

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