In an unprecedented way, the Knesset is expected to grant Katz immunity from prosecution today

The former minister, who is accused of fraud and breach of trust following a legislative amendment to better himself and his associates, will receive the support of Likud, Israel and our ultra-Orthodox parties to temporarily escape the law. Blue and white will give voting freedom to its members. The Movement for Quality Government will petition the High Court if it does win immunity

In an unprecedented way, the Knesset is expected to grant Katz immunity from prosecution today

After the Knesset Committee approves granting immunity to MK Haim Katz from the Likud, the plenary is expected to discuss immunity to a former minister accused of fraud and breach of trust on Monday. The trial.

It is believed that immunity will be imposed and Mandelblit will not be able to file the indictment against him in court. However, the immunity will be valid until the next Knesset, which will be sworn in in a month's time. Following the swearing-in of the 23rd Knesset, MK Katz will have the opportunity to reapply for immunity, similar to the process he has been conducting lately. If he does not request it, Mandelblit will be able to file his indictment immediately.

Likud members of the Likud, Torah Judaism, Shas and Israel Beitano are expected to support the granting of immunity to Katz, similar to the way they voted in an unusually established Knesset committee. In contrast, Knesset members of Blue and White will vote for freedom of speech, most will oppose but will be MKs In a party that is meant to be avoided. Some MKs on the joint list, including Ahmed Tibi and Mansur Abbas, are also expected to abstain. So far, it is unclear how Labor-Bridge-Meretz members will vote, and judging by the vote of some in the committee, they will vote against.

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Charged with fraud and breach of trust. Katz discusses his immunity (Photo: Olivia Pitosi \ Flash 90)

Debate on MK Haim Katz's request for immunity, Knesset, Jerusalem, February 4, 2020 (Photo: Olivia Pitusi, Flash 90)

Giving immunity to Katz is unprecedented. Since 2005, when the law was amended so that Knesset members request immunity and do not receive it automatically, only three Knesset members have asked for it: Michael Golovsky, Said Nafa and Katz. The first two did not receive, and as stated, the Knesset estimates that MK Katz will receive it for the first time.

Although the immunity attack is very short, some have already announced that he intends to petition the High Court against him. In a move to quality government they said that "the charges against MK Katz are very difficult" and added that "the matter must come to clarify and investigate the truth in court" Israel is not a closed member club and certainly should not serve as a shelter city for the accused. "

The former minister was accused of fraud and breach of trust in the stock affair, due to a law that prompted the request of his financial adviser, capital market man Moti Ben Ari - an expert in portfolio management who served as an adviser to the Equity Group, a dominant public holding company in the economy. In the letter of suspicion delivered to Katz he was also given a bribe clause, but after the hearing it was decided to remove it. It was also decided to shelve the "aerospace industry" file, under which the police recommended to prosecute Katz for a series of offenses including bribery, fraud, breach of trust and extortion of threats.

Gantz: Intends to set up a professional public committee to discuss the issue of immunity

The charge may only be dismissed. Mandelblit discusses Katz's immunity (Photo: Flash 90)

Attorney General Avihai Mendelbit at Immigration Debate and MK Haim Katz, Knesset, Jerusalem, February 4, 2020 (Photo: Olivia Pitosi, Flash 90)

Katz filed his immunity request near the previous election but so far has not discussed it following the failure of the Knesset committee. The committee, chaired by MK Avi Nissenkorn (blue and white), convened after the Knesset plenum approved its establishment, even though it was a transitional government. Katz met with many Knesset members in recent months and explained why he deserves immunity. , Both in the right-wing bloc and in the other factions, believed he should be granted immunity from prosecution.

Promoted bill for "capital market taxes"

According to the indictment, Katz and the capital market man developed a very close and close social relationship, but they also had mutual economic interests. Initiated by Ben Ari, Katz put on the Knesset a private bill designed to amend the Securities Law. The proposal, filed while Katz served as chairman of the Labor and Social Affairs Committee, changed the priorities among various creditors. And personally. "

At the same time, the relationship between the minister and the businessman deepened. Katz greatly appreciated Ben Ari's abilities in the capital market, calling him "Messi of the Capital Market," "Guru," "Genius," and "God-endowed." Ben Ari, on the other hand, allowed him to frequently visit Equity's offices, sometimes several times a week, to watch him trade securities and copy the activity to his account, while giving the Minister tips on trading. In addition, according to the prosecutor's office, the two also coordinated millions of securities trading orders without reporting it to the stock exchange.

According to the second indictment, after Katz was appointed Minister, he had to transfer his securities portfolio to "blind trust" by an independent public trust company. In practice, it is alleged, Minister Katz opened a trust account in the Strauss-Lazar accounting firm, but in practice the account was managed by Ben-Ari in contravention of the rules.