Israel court hears plea against Netanyahu forming government

Jerusalem, May 3

In a rare move, the Israeli High Court on Sunday began hearing petitions against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu forming a government while facing criminal indictments in a session being broadcast live given its significance.

The hearing, held by an exceptionally large panel of 11 out of the court’s 15 justices, focuses on the issue of whether a politician can form a government while under indictment.

Israeli law mandates that cabinet ministers and mayors resign if indicted, but does not explicitly prohibit a politician from becoming a Prime Minister if backed by the majority support in the Knesset (Israeli parliament).

Netanyahu, 70, was indicted earlier this year on charges of accepting bribes, fraud and breach of trust. He has denied any wrongdoing. His trial was postponed due to restrictions his hand-picked interim justice minister placed on the courts after the coronavirus crisis erupted and is scheduled to commence later this month.

Israel’s Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit last week said that while Netanyahu’s indictments “raise significant problems,” there was no legal basis for barring him from serving while facing criminal charges.

Speaking at the opening of the High Court hearing on Sunday, Anar Helman, representing the Attorney General’s Office, reiterated the same opinion saying that there is no legal obstacle despite “serious crimes of personal integrity”.

The court will address additional petitions concerning Netanyahu’s power-sharing deal with his main rival, former military chief Benny Gantz, on Monday. Israel could plunge into a deep political chaos if the court decides against Netanyahu forming a government under indictment. —PTI

Agreement with centrist Gantz

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival Benny Gantz signed an agreement last month to form a unity government under which they would take turns leading Israel after three elections that neither of them won. Right-wing Netanyahu will serve as the PM of a new administration for 18 months before handing the reins to centrist Gantz.