Court refuses to force him to resign .. Netanyahu to his close: I will not repeat Olmert's mistake and I will prevent Likud elections

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told those close to him that he will not repeat the mistake of his predecessor Ehud Olmert and resign after being formally charged in corruption cases, nor allow early primaries in his Likud party to choose a successor.

Netanyahu, who is accused of bribery, fraud and dishonesty in three corruption cases, faces two fateful dilemmas: the first being at the head of the Likud party, with rivals calling for internal primaries to choose a new leadership for the party, and the possibility of being asked to resign as prime minister because of the formal indictment against him.

Israeli law does not require the prime minister to resign during his trial, but only if convicted of the charges against him.

Earlier on Sunday, Gideon Sa'ar, a leader of the Likud party, and Wend Netanyahu, head of the Likud center, called on Haim Katz to discuss the possibility of holding an early primary in the party.

However, according to the Israeli newspaper "Maariv", Netanyahu apparently decided to cut the road on Saar.

Netanyahu told his close associates that he would not allow an early primary election in Likud, even after a 21-day ultimatum before the Knesset - which began last Wednesday - to choose one of its members to form a government, after Netanyahu and his rival, leader of the "Blue White" party Benny Gantz in this task.

If this period expires, Israeli law provides for the automatic dissolution of the Knesset and a third general election within 90 days of the dissolution of the parliament, which Sa'ar appears to be seeking to avoid by declaring his desire to succeed Netanyahu as party chairman and form a government within the legal deadline.

Regarding the possibility of resigning from the premiership, close to Netanyahu said in closed sessions that he will not commit the mistake committed by his predecessor, former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who resigned in 2008 because of the investigation of corruption cases against him.

Olmert was convicted after his trial and sentenced to 27 months in prison, which began in 2016, and was released early in late June 2017.

The court refuses
Meanwhile, the Israeli Supreme Court rejected on Sunday evening a petition forcing Netanyahu to resign from his position, and the abandonment of four portfolios he holds in the government.

The Movement for Good Governance in Israel filed a petition to the Supreme Court demanding that Netanyahu immediately resign as prime minister.

A special team set up by Attorney General Avichai Mendelbilt is discussing legal issues related to preventing Israeli President Reuven Rivlin from entrusting Netanyahu to form a new government following the indictment against him last Thursday.

A number of Israeli officials have also asked Mandelbelt to instruct Netanyahu to resign from his portfolios, in addition to his position as head of government, where Netanyahu holds the ministries of health, agriculture, welfare and diaspora.