JERUSALEM, Jan 2 (NNN-MA’AN) – Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said, he would ask parliament to grant him immunity from prosecution, in three corruption cases.
In a statement broadcast live on Israel’s main TV channels, Netanyahu said, he would submit his request to the Speaker of Parliament, Yuli Edelstein, in order to “continue to serve you for the sake of the future of Israel.”
He submitted the request only four hours before the midnight deadline on Wednesday.
The request could delay the cases against him, and secure him several more months at the office, enabling him to run for another term, in the national elections on Mar 2.
Netanyahu was indicted on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
Benny Gantz, chairman of the Blue and White party, Netanyahu’s main rival, said, the party “would do anything possible to prevent the immunity.”
He accused Netanyahu of “endangering civilian basis of equality before the law” while trying to shield himself from standing trial.
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the right-wing Israel Our Home party, also denounced the move, saying that Netanyahu “has been only interested in his immunity and took the State of Israel as his hostage.”
Israel’s political system has been paralysed over the past year, amid two rounds of national elections that failed to yield conclusive results.– NNN-MA’AN