Israeli prosecutors have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of treating favours as “currency” at the opening of a corruption trial which, along with an inconclusive election, has clouded his prospects of remaining in office.
Netanyahu, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery, breach of trust and fraud, came to Jerusalem District Court on Monday in a dark suit and black protective mask, conferring with lawyers as his supporters and critics held raucous demonstrations outside.
“The relationship between Netanyahu and the defendants became currency, something that could be traded,” prosecutor Liat Ben-Ari said in presenting so-called Case 4000, concerning the premier’s alleged ties to the owners of an Israeli news site.
“This currency could distort a public servant’s judgment.”
Netanyahu left before the first prosecution witness testified in the first such trial of a sitting Israeli prime minister. He has described himself as the victim of a politically motivated witch-hunt.
Meanwhile, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin began consulting with party heads on who might form the next coalition government – a toss-up after the March 23 election, the fourth in two years, gave neither Netanyahu nor his rivals a clear mandate.
Rivlin told delegates from Netanyahu’s conservative Likud party that ethical considerations could factor in his decision, apparently alluding to Netanyahu’s trial.
“I do not see a way in which a government can be established,” Rivlin told representatives of centrist Yesh Atid, the largest opposition party, which hopes to unseat Netanyahu.
Read the article by Maayan Lubell in The Canberra Times.