Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accused of corruption in a series of cases, said Monday evening January 24 to refuse a plea bargain agreement in which he would recognize any "
moral turpitude
", a designation that would de facto end to his political career.
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The former prime minister is accused of having received gifts (champagne, jewelry, cigars) from wealthy personalities, of having tried to secure favorable coverage from Israel's largest paid daily, the Yediot Aharonot, and of favoring a telecom magnate for a similar purpose.
Charged with corruption, breach of trust and embezzlement, the longest-lasting head of government in the country's history, in power notably from 2009 to last June, proclaimed his innocence and accused the courts of having hatched a "
coup d'etat
" against him.
In recent weeks, the Netanyahu camp negotiated a deal with the courts in which he would plead guilty to certain charges to avoid a possible prison sentence.
“Leading Israel”
According to Israeli media, the agreement would include a "
moral turpitude
" clause , which would have the effect, according to Israeli law, of preventing Benjamin Netanyahu, 72, from sitting in parliament for the next seven years, thus ending his his political career.
“
Over the past few days there have been false allegations made in the media about things I would have accepted, like the designation of moral turpitude.
This is not true
,” said Benjamin Netanyahu, current leader of the right-wing opposition Likud party, in a message posted in Hebrew on social media.
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"
I will continue to lead the Likud (...) with the aim of leading Israel
", added Benjamin Netanyahu, thanking the "
millions
" of Israelis, who "
support
" him in his legal troubles, without however specifying whether he was ready to accept a plea bargain without this “
moral turpitude
” clause . A donation campaign launched last week under the title “
Netanyahu, you will never be alone
has raised more than 3.7 million shekels (1 million euros) to help finance his ongoing trial.
According to analysts, his departure from political life would have the effect of reshuffling the political cards in Israel, by opening the race for the leadership of Likud but also by weakening the motley coalition of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett formed on the basis of an opposition to Benjamin Netanyahu.
