Anti-Netanyahu protests expected after Israel’s PM indicted on bribery charges
A rally calling for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation will take place today in Tel Aviv.
Last week, Israeli Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit announced his intention to indict Netanyahu on charges of bribery, breach of trust and fraud. The first Israeli prime minister to face criminal charges while in office, Netanyahu is alleged to have lobbied for legislation advantageous to wealthy individuals in exchange for gifts and favourable press.
Netanyahu has insisted that the allegations are a politically motivated attempt to oust him from office. He has so far held firm against calls from the opposition and 70 business leaders to resign—indeed, he is only obliged to resign if found guilty of the charges levelled against him.
Despite Israel’s two elections in the past seven months, neither Netanyahu nor rival Benny Gantz has been able to form a government. Coalition talks between the two also failed to break the deadlock; Gantz refused to serve in a government led by a man facing criminal charges.
With Netanyahu adamantly refusing to step down, expect the stalemate in Israeli politics to lead to yet another election next month.
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