For his followers he was for years "King Bibi", for his opponents since 2009 no longer conquerable: Benjamin Netanyahu. No politician in Israel's history has been prime minister as long as he is. Now the 70-year-old faces the ruin of his spectacular career as a politician. The reason: Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has charges against him. The allegations, spread over 63 pages, are short: bribery, fraud and embezzlement.
Netanyahu denies all allegations. He had previously ruled out a resignation in the case of an indictment. How the verdict turns out remains to be seen. For him, the presumption of innocence applies - as well as for any other defendant. The only thing that is clear is that he is the first Israeli Prime Minister to be charged in office.
So far, two high-ranking politicians have been prosecuted in the country's history and sentenced to terms of imprisonment: ex-prime minister Ehud Olmert for corruption, ex-president Moshe Katzav for rape - but only after their time as politicians.
Israel threatens new elections for the third time in twelve months
Netanyahu's indictment is not the only novelty that Israel has to deal with this week. But in turn: President Reuven Rivlin had first Thursday morning to fulfill his duties as Israeli President and meet new ambassadors, five in total: from Slovakia, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, South Korea and India.
More important than all these diplomatic appointments, however, was his visit to the Knesset at lunchtime. Because: Israel threatens new elections for the third time in twelve months.
On Wednesday, Benny Gantz announced that he had failed in his attempt to form a government. The opposition leader of the blue-white election list had become the strongest political force on 17 September in the second round of elections this year, but for the time being it was not enough for more.
"This policy of interruption must stop"
The main reason for this is a 61-year-old politician, robustly built and tough tactician - Avigdor Lieberman. The former Minister of Defense had triggered a long-term election campaign last winter with his resignation from the government. In September, he won with his party Israel Beitenu then so many votes that he now decisively decides on the political future of the country.
Wednesday afternoon, the kingmaker of Israel born in the Soviet Republic of Moldova finally expressed himself at a press conference. Lieberman's message: a double no: He supports neither Benny Gantz nor Benjamin Netanyahu.
The politician held a teacup with flowers in his hand, quite harmless. Drinking tea and playing poker, that seems to be his motto. The fact that Israel will have a government within the foreseeable future has since been considered almost impossible. Instead, now follows a complex and tough process:
- For the first time in the country's history, the Knesset's 120 members are invited to submit proposals for a prime minister from among their ranks.
- The parliamentarians have 21 days for this.
- If, during these three weeks, you find a candidate with a majority of 61 votes in favor, you will be asked to form a government.
"Let's not be under any illusions: this policy of interruption must stop," said President Rivlin on Thursday afternoon during his visit to parliament. He urged MEPs: "Do not be blocks or parties in the next 21 days." But there is no rational reason why everything could suddenly turn out differently, that a suitable candidate for the post will be found - and that he will then succeed in forming a coalition - so far.
New elections cost nerves - and 750 million US dollars
A horror scenario that seems equally unpleasant for voters and parties seems more realistic: new elections, the third within a year, probably in March 2020. According to media reports, the Israeli taxpayer would cost $ 750 million - and nerves.
But Israel is not there yet. Instead, more weeks of uncertainty threaten. Not only for the country, but also for Netanyahu. In a conviction for corruption threatens him up to ten years imprisonment. Fraud and infidelity could put him behind bars for three years.
It is unclear how fast the trial will begin against him. The Premier may apply for immunity from prosecution in the Knesset over the next 30 days. Whether or not Parliament will be able to approve its request if there is no functioning government is something experts' opinions diverge on. At present, it seems, the process could not begin until six months or even later.
An Israeli journalist recently summed up the country's current situation and policies with a quote from former US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "There are well-known acquaintances," Rumsfeld said during a 2002 Iraqi press conference, "there are things that we do know that we know them, we also know that there are known unknowns, that is, we know, there are some things that we do not know, but there are also unknown unknowns - there are things that we do not know that we do not know her. "
