Netanyahu charged in corruption cases, deepening Israeli political disarray

BATTLE FOR WORLD / NEWS TRUST | November 21, 2019: After many months of suspense by the Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, on Thursday (November 21), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was charged with bribery, breach of trust and fraud. The criminal indictment is likely to plunge Israel deeper into political disarray.

The decision announced was the first of its kind against a serving Israeli prime minister, representing a serious crisis in the political career of the man popularly known as “Bibi” who has shaped and implemented Zionist policies with Israel attacking its neighbors (Syria, Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, etc.), which has led to thousands of death and bloodshed, as the United States gives its support.

Serving as prime minister since 2009 he has dominated Israeli politics and during the investigations denied wrongdoing in three corruption cases and referred to allegations as a political witch hunt and that he was the victim.

No immediate threat to Netanyahu from the indictment is foreseen to disrupt his decade-long hold on power, but his grip was loosened by elections in April and September (2019), from which neither the right-wing Likud leader nor centrist challenger Benny Gantz secured a governing majority. Both candidates failed to form a new government and the stalemate sets the stage for a possible third election within a year. And as possible new election looms, Netanyahu could secure parliamentary immunity from prosecution.

Netanyahu will remain as prime minister and is under no legal obligation to resign once charged. The opening trial as a result of the indictment could be delayed for months.

“These are harsh dark days in the annals of the State of Israel,” said the President Reuven Rivlin.

The prolonged political dark cloud continues to set over Israel as domestic and international challenges remain.

What Netanyahu could be hoping for is to widen conflict with arch-foe Iran, pulling President Trump along into war.

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