Benjamin Netanyahu
Jerusalem Post reported that the attorney general in Israel has come closer than ever to declaring that Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu is “ineligible” to continue leading the country due to the issue of public corruption.
Israel’s Attorney General, Avichai Mandelblit, said the prime minister’s ruthless attacks on law enforcement had crossed the lines that could serve as a basis for declaring him unfit for the position.
He added that Netanyahu’s failure to appoint a justice minister was another sign that he might ultimately be declared ineligible, even if the law did not ask for his resignation if he was holding government positions.
However, Mandelblit said Netanyahu could remain in office for the time being in light of his adherence to the attorney general’s restrictions on moving away from participating in law enforcement and judicial appointments as well as the political changes that could affect him.
The Israeli prime minister is accused of accepting luxury gifts and granting regulatory facilities to influential media outlets in exchange for positive media coverage in 3 separate cases, while Netanyahu, who is considered the first prime minister to face official accusations while in office, denies those allegations.
And on Sunday, the Supreme Court rejected a petition against Netanyahu’s mandate to form a new government in the country that is experiencing a state of political stalemate and led to the holding of 4 legislative elections within two years.
The “democracy fortress” group that submitted the petition said that the decision of the head of state, Reuven Rivlin, to assign Netanyahu to form a new government “is not reasonable.”
Israeli laws do not grant the prime minister any immunity from prosecution, but he will not be forced to resign until after all judicial means against him have been exhausted, if convicted.
AL Hurra