Netanyahu applied to the Speaker of the Knesset for immunity from prosecution

PM Olmert Requests Knesset Speaker for Immunity from Prosecution, "To Realize My Mission and Serve Citizens of Israel." Contrary to the statement that immunity is only temporary - in cases 1000 and 2000 he sought "substantial immunity" even after serving as MK . Lieberman: Israel our home will vote against immunity

Netanyahu applied to the Speaker of the Knesset for immunity from prosecution

Netanyahu asks for immunity - all updates:

• PM Olmert Appeals to Knesset Speaker to Request Immunity from Prosecution
• Contrary to his statement that his application was for temporary immunity only - in cases 1000 and 2000 he asked for "substantial immunity"
• Netanyahu: "Immunity is temporary, I will stand in court to crush the unfounded plot"
• Lieberman announces that Israel our House will vote against Netanyahu's immunity and support the establishment of a committee to discuss it
• Gantz: "Netanyahu Knows He's Guilty, Such Immunity Is Corruption"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Knesset Speaker) today submitted a request to Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein for immunity from prosecution. In an earlier statement he intends to submit the request, Netanyahu announced: "I intend to appeal to Knesset Speaker in accordance with section 4-c of the law. To fulfill my right, my duty and my mission to serve you citizens of Israel. "

In a statement to the media, which he delivered at the Orient Hotel in Jerusalem, Netanyahu made it clear that "many people think that the immunity of the elected officials is ever-present, that it allows them to never be prosecuted. This is not true. The immunity is always temporary, it is abolished when the Knesset has served it."

He said, "By law, no one can avoid prosecution." He addressed his answer to a question in an interview with News 12 whether he intended to promote a law that would prevent him from being prosecuted, to which he replied "What suddenly?", And said: "I was correct in my words then, and I am accurate today. I intend to appear in court to crush all the unfounded arguments against me."

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"I'll be in court to crush all the unfounded plot." Netanyahu, Today (Jonathan Wetser, TPS)

PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Declaration on Immunity Request, Orient Jerusalem \ January 1, 2020 (Photo: Yonatan Veltzer, TPS)

He added that President Reuben Rivlin was correct in his remarks that "the Immunity Law is intended to protect elected officials from sewing political files and indictments aimed at harming the will of the people. The law is intended to ensure that elected officials can serve the people according to the will of the people, not the will of the officials."

"Unfortunately that's what happens in my case," he continued. "File sewing, selective enforcement, blackmail by state witnesses, ousting witnesses and delusions of trend leaks and brainwashing in the evening to incite against me by misleading public opinion." Regarding petitions to the High Court regarding his competence to receive the mandate for government assembly, Netanyahu said that "in democracy only the people will decide."

"I intend to continue to lead Israel to historic achievements," Netanyahu said. "Together, we are strengthening our economy, blocking Iran, bringing a defense alliance with the US, establishing peace with Arab states and instilling sovereignty in our country. It does not interest our opponent, they have nothing to offer but incitement against me. Probably difficult for them with the fact that we have made Israel the eighth superpower in the world, but tonight we will reach a topic that interests them.

Gantz's statement in response to Netanyahu's statement:

Netanyahu applied to the Speaker of the Knesset for immunity from prosecution

In the request for immunity submitted to Knesset Speaker Edelstein this evening, it was stated that "the prime minister wants to hold the democratic process and respect the will of the voters." The letter explained that "the immunity is granted for a term of one Knesset only. His trial will take place anyway. The prime minister intends to stand trial and refute all those charged in the indictment against him. "

His lawyers reasoned the request for immunity: "The indictment against the prime minister was filed with discrimination between the prime minister and others, the indictment was submitted in bad faith, conducting the criminal proceedings at this stage will cause real damage to the functioning of the Knesset and the representation of the electorate. All of the prime minister's actions were done properly And some of them were even done as part of a Knesset member. "

The request for immunity submitted to the Speaker of the Knesset shows that Netanyahu wants to grant him immunity from prosecution in the 1,000 and 2,000 cases - even after his term as MK. This request is in complete contradiction, according to Netanyahu, in a statement to journalists tonight, during which he said his request for immunity was for temporary immunity only.

Substantial immunity is not unlike Netanyahu's request for trial against the rest of the charges against him, as it stands for him even after he has served as MK. In the 2000 case, he claimed that all attributed to him in this charge was done by him in his capacity as a Knesset member to prevent the bill from being promoted. Aimed at limiting the dissemination of the Israeli newspaper today and harming it. In the file 1000, the prime minister is asking for immunity, and according to him, "In this context, too, the indictment attributes to the prime minister actions taken as a member of the Knesset, as part of the possibility of promoting legislation."

The establishment of the committee to discuss the application for immunity requires its approval. Edelstein (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein during Knesset Plenary December 11, 2019 (Photo: Reuven Castro)

According to the request, "The charge referred to in the 2000 case is all about parliamentary activity, as part of an attempt to curb the bill intended to harm the Israeli newspaper today. All the actions attributed to the prime minister, including his talks with Moses, his alleged inquiries to the Knesset committee members - MKs Yariv Levin and Zeev Elkin - carried out as part of the prime minister's role as a Knesset member. Legislation and its incorporation are the cornerstones of Knesset members' activities. This is the rule of law and this is their most important and important role. "

Netanyahu, it is alleged, also acted similarly in file 1000. "Regarding the conflict of interest attributed to the prime minister in connection with the extension of the income tax exemption to a returning resident, the prime minister acted lawfully, and in any case he has immunity, since in this context the indictment attributes to the prime minister actions Who performed as a Member of Knesset, as part of an examination of the possibility of promoting legislation. "

Lieberman: We will vote against Netanyahu's immunity

Immediately after Netanyahu's statement, Israeli House Speaker Avigdor Lieberman announced that in his faction they would vote unanimously against Netanyahu's immunity - and for the establishment of a committee that would discuss immunity during the election period. All that interests Netanyahu is immunity. With that he gets up in the morning, that he lives and breathes during the day and he goes to bed. "Lieberman has previously stated that he is against the possibility of immunity but has now made it clear for the first time that he and his party members will vote against in the Knesset if he votes.

Lieberman added: "The State of Israel has become hostage to Netanyahu's personal, private problem. It is not interesting to the left, nor the right, nor the religious nor the secular. The only thing that stands before him is the Immunity Coalition." He added that Israel our home would not be part of the "Immunity Coalition".

"We will not be part of the Immunity Coalition." Lieberman (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Israel House in Knesset Dispersion Meeting (Photo: Reuven Castro)

In Israel, our house says they will support the establishment of a Knesset committee during the election period, contrary to their past position. The Knesset Committee is scheduled to discuss Netanyahu's request for immunity, and according to the Speaker of the Knesset - if a majority is achieved, it will be possible to set up during an election period. However, the approval of Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein is required. Now, there is a majority in the Knesset and only Edelstein can prevent it.

At the same time, Blue and White Chairman Benny Gantz made a statement in the Maccabiah village and strongly attacked Netanyahu. Gantz said: "This is a difficult day for the State of Israel and sad for me too. I never imagined that we would reach the day when the Israeli prime minister refrained from addressing the law and the judicial system, which the prime minister would not care about the future of the Israeli government, but his personal future. "

According to Gantz, "Netanyahu knows he is guilty. Anyone who thinks there will be nothing because nothing is afraid to stand trial. Therefore, either there is an extreme immunity government here or there is a state unity government. Or immunity above all, or citizens of Israel first of all. Netanyahu or the State of Israel. "

"Netanyahu knows he's guilty." Gantz (Photo: Shlomi Gabay)

Statement by Benny Gantz after Rahm's Immunity Announcement, Kfar Maccabiah, January 1, 2020 (Photo: Shlomi Gabay)

The Blue and White Chairman added: "We must not downplay what we saw tonight before our eyes. The move that happened this evening is not a technical issue or a limited time process that can be moved to the agenda. "

Gantz reiterated the intention of Blue and White to form the Knesset Committee to prevent the granting of immunity to Netanyahu. He said that the citizens of the State of Israel are "hostages to Netanyahu's legal struggle", which he said "dragged us three times a year into election campaigns that cost billions of shekels. While you said in line for influenza vaccines - his representatives discussed his immunity."

He added that "such immunity is corruption. Such immunity is not a cornerstone of democracy, it is the rooting of democracy. A prime minister is an equal public between equals, uninhibited people and the justice system. It's time to stop the deterioration, fear and hatred and start a new path."

Just hours to Deadline

Netanyahu's announcement comes just hours before he can request parliamentary immunity, midnight, 30 days from the announcement by Attorney General Avihai Mandelblit to the Knesset chairman on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust against the prime minister. At his request, only after a government is established, then a Knesset committee will be established to discuss this request.

As a result, until a coalition is not formed, the charges against Netanyahu remain in deep freeze and will not be filed in court. After a coalition is formed, Netanyahu must obtain a majority of Knesset members' request for immunity from prosecution. If he doesn't have a majority - the request will be rejected and he will face the indictments in court.

Two days ago, the prime minister planned to deliver a live statement, which he was expected to announce that he intended to apply for immunity from the Knesset, but the statement was eventually canceled, apparently because of yesterday's High Court hearing on his ability to form a government if he wins the election, as a criminal defendant.

The excavation sites are ready: Netanyahu and the Yishuv prepare a pit for the High Court from which it will be difficult to escape

Will meet Edelstein. Nissenkorn (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Knesset Dispersion Meeting, December 11, 2009 (Photo: Reuven Castro)

In response, Blue and White announced that "due to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's intention to apply for immunity from prosecution on bribery, fraud and breach of trust, MK Avi Nissenkorn announced that the regulating committee will convene on Wednesday to discuss the establishment of the Knesset Committee." Nissenkorn asked Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein to allow the committee to convene, but the latter responded that he was staying abroad by the end of the week, and before examining the committee's meeting, he would like to hold a meeting with him on the matter. known.

Blue and white are furious at Edelstein's conduct but determined to form the Knesset committee. Nissenkorn will try to reach an agreement with the Knesset Speaker, which will allow the process to continue. The party said that "Edelstein's answer is a shameful attempt to prevent the Knesset from discussing Netanyahu's request for immunity. We did not believe that the Speaker of the Knesset would use his state status to make the Knesset Israel a sanctuary city. "

(Update first: 18:24)