JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (Parliament Politics Magazine): According to a source familiar with the talks, former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is discussing a plea offer in his corruption case. The former is accused of fraud, taking bribes among others.
The agreement, which may be ratified as soon as this week, could force Netanyahu off of the Israeli political stage for years, laying the groundwork for a leadership challenge in his Likud party and upending Israel’s political landscape.
Any agreement would also free Netanyahu of an unpleasant and lengthy trial that has engulfed the country and threatens to ruin his reputation.
Netanyahu is charged in 3 casesÂ
- Receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gifts from wealthy associates.
- Perpetrating favorable press in Yedioth Ahronoth, a major Israeli newspaper, in exchange for supporting legislation that could potentially harm the news outlet’s main rival, a free pro-Netanyahu daily.
- Dubbed as Case 4000, Netanyahu lobbied for legislation worth hundreds of millions of dollars in exchange for favourable coverage on Israel’s Walla news site.
Netanyahu’s spokesman declined to respond.
In three different cases, Netanyahu is accused of violation of trust, receiving bribes and fraud. The former premier, who is now the leader of the opposition, denies any misconduct.
According to a source familiar with the talks, the plea offer would result in the bribery and fraud charges being dropped, as well as the dismissal of one case entirely.
Because he wasn’t authorised to share the details of the conversations, the individual requested anonymity. He predicted that a plea agreement would be publicised in the days ahead.
According to the source, a number of issues remain unresolved, including the inclusion of the accusation of “moral turpitude,” which would bar Netanyahu from politics for seven years under Israeli law. They were also debating if Netanyahu would be compelled to serve in the community as part of the agreement.
Included “moral turpitude” would throw into question Netanyahu’s pledge to return to the reins of the country after his 12-year rule was interrupted last year by a coalition of ideologically diverse parties united only in their opposition to his leadership.
When the ban expires, however, Netanyahu, who has been labelled a political wizard for his ability to sustain repeated efforts to overthrow him, could make a return. He’d be close to 80 years old.
With his exit from politics, the Likud party will be forced to hold a leadership election, with numerous lawmakers already pledging to run.
Without Netanyahu, Likud isn’t likely to be as powerful, but it would still be a significant force under a new leader.
With Netanyahu’s exit, the coalition’s more nationalist factions may decide to break away from the shaky alliance and join arms with their ideological compatriots.
