May a man accused of corruption stay an Israeli Prime Minister? Israel's Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit says: yes. There is no "legal obligation for the Prime Minister to resign," Mandelblit said on Monday.
However, there is a moral obligation - Israel disagrees.
The country is facing one of the biggest state crises since its inception 71 years ago (read the analysis here). It is the first time in Israel's history that an incumbent Prime Minister has been charged. Last week Mandelblit announced that he is seeking a lawsuit against Benjamin Netanyahu. The reason: alleged fraud, infidelity and corruption.
Netanyahu is accused of influencing the media and buying positive coverage with political favor. He is said to have accepted gifts worth hundreds of thousands of euros. As a "thank you" he campaigned for tax concessions of his patron.
Mandelblit has now filed an indictment - and the timing could hardly be worse for Netanyahu. Because politically he is in trouble. Twice in Israel this year, but neither Netanyahu nor his challenger Benny Gantz managed to form a government. Now the Israelis have to go to the polls a third time. It is expected that the country will vote again in March 2020.
Tomer Neuberg / DPA
Failed like Netanyahu at forming the government: challenger Benny Gantz
Netanyahu has ruled Israel for more than a decade. He was also temporarily foreign and defense ministers. Many Israelis can hardly imagine a government without him. Netanyahu is considered an experienced and tough security politician. In a country that is almost permanently in a state of war, security goes above and beyond many people. But is that enough for Israel to vote for a man who has to face trial for allegedly serious crimes?
Netanyahu is doing everything possible to discredit the investigation. Shortly after the announcement, he called Mandelblit's charge "politically motivated." "What is happening here is an attempt to carry out a coup against the head of government," Netanyahu said. He called his followers to protests.
In fact, it may take years before the trial of Netanyahu begins. If he starts at all. Theoretically, the prime minister can apply for parliamentary immunity. However, Israel currently has no government that would be authorized to make such a decision.
Even party friends plead for Netanyahu leaving as Prime Minister
The question is whether a third choice will change that. Because those politicians whose parties could form a majority, refuse to cooperate with an accused party leader. Both Benny Gantz of the center alliance "Blue-White" and Avigdor Lieberman of the right-wing party "Israel Beitenu" rule out a government under Netanyahu. Gantz therefore calls Netanyahu to resign. As soon as he was replaced, one could negotiate a grand coalition between "Blue-White" and Netanyahu's Likud party - and possibly avert new elections.
Meanwhile, even some politicians from Netanyahu's party are pleading for the prime minister to resign. Gideon Saar, one of Netanyahu's most influential opponents within the Likud, called for new party elections on Sunday. Saar wants to take over Netanyahu's post. Other Likud politicians get in position.
Many loyalists still hold loyalty to Netanyahu. Even smaller right-wing parties stick to the prime minister. Whether Israel's voters will do that is questionable. Netanyahu face up to ten years imprisonment if convicted.
