Netanyahu negotiates guilty plea in exchange for less corruption charges
An informed source said today, Sunday, that former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is negotiating a guilty plea in exchange for reduced charges against him in order to end a corruption trial, but the talks have stalled due to a condition that may prevent him from engaging in political activity.
Netanyahu, who left power in June after serving as prime minister for 12 consecutive years, became the leader of the opposition.
He had said he pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery, breach of trust and fraud in three cases in which he was charged in 2019 and they are all being tried together.
The source said that Netanyahu, 72, is negotiating an agreement with Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, in which he pleads guilty in exchange for reducing the charges against him and converting any prison sentence into community service.
The source told Reuters, asking not to be named, that the talks had stumbled due to Netanyahu's request to avoid a dishonorable conviction that could prevent him for years from political action under Israeli law.
Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing and accused the prosecution of pursuing him for political motives.
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