Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested on Sunday that President Isaac Herzog pardon him and bring charges of bribery and fraud to put an end to his five-year corruption trial.
In addition to bringing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, Netanyahu is facing three separate corruption cases that have been filed in 2019: Case 1000, Case 2000, and Case 4000.
What we know is as follows:
What is the argument made by Netanyahu?
Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing and claims that the media and rivals’ “witch-hunt” led to a “deep state” conspiracy.
He has also asserted that in a turbulent time for the Middle East, if he is pardoned, Israel will be strengthened.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s submission comes a few weeks after Donald Trump pressed Herzog to pardon Netanyahu.
Trump’s earlier request is referenced in Netanyahu’s 111-page pardon request, which Herzog’s office submitted.
According to analysts and observers, Netanyahu has continued to expand and expand Israel’s genocidal assault on the besieged Gaza Strip in his efforts to prevent trial and prevent possible conviction.
Would Netanyahu be required to confess his guilt in order to receive a pardon?
Netanyahu refuses to acknowledge guilt or wrongdoing in his pardon request.
Netanyahu cannot be pardoned, according to opposition leader Yair Lapid, “without an admission of guilt, an expression of remorse, and an immediate retirement from political life.”
According to Dana Blander, a research fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, an admission of guilt is legal, but that is not required, according to an article. Generally speaking, a pardon is not subject to any restrictions.
The Ministry of Justice’s pardons department will first review the request for pardon, which will then give Herzog’s office an opinion.
The president is not required to do so, as the ministry typically suggests.
Herzog has previously stated that the most efficient way to conclude this legal case would be a negotiated settlement between the prosecution and Netanyahu’s legal team.
What has the leadership and populace of Israel done?
Israelis staged a protest against Netanyahu’s pardon petition outside Herzog’s Tel Aviv residence on Sunday night, along with Naama Lazimi and other opposition figures.
Although Herzog and Netanyahu once had a friendly working relationship, they no longer face political strife.
In response to the pardon request, Herzog’s office said in a statement that “the president will responsibly and sincerely consider the request” after receiving all of the pertinent opinions.
Yohanan Plesner, president of The Israel Democracy Institute, told The Associated Press that “he basically says, “I’m completely innocent.”
There is no sense of responsibility here, which could send a troubling message to all politicians and how our public perceptions might be.
What crimes is Netanyahu accused of?
Describe the following:
Case 1000, the ‘ Gifts Affair ‘
Netanyahu was charged with fraud and breach of trust while serving as communications minister from 2014 to 2017 in the year that he was prime minister.
According to the allegations, Netanyahu and his wife Sara were given lavish presents from two wealthy businessmen in exchange for political favors, including champagne and cigars, worth nearly $200,000.
Arnon Milchan, an Israeli billionaire, and James Packer, an Australian billionaire, are the businessmen.
Milchan claimed to have given gifts to Netanyahu in June 2020. Packer was also accused of paying Milchan for these pricey presents.
Netanyahu is accused of lobbying US officials to get Milchan’s interests through lobbying them to get his US visa renewed. He is also accused of supporting, like Milchan, a tax exemption law that might have been advantageous for Israelis living abroad.
According to Packer, media reports claimed that he was investing heavily in Israel and that his attorneys had inquired about the billionaire’s tax benefits from living there.
Bribery can result in sentences of up to 10 years and/or a fine, while fraud and breach of trust can result in prison sentences of up to three years.
Following the indictment, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit stated that the goods were valued at approximately 700,000 shekels ($186, 000).
The “Netanyah-Mozes affair” case from 2000
According to the allegations in this case, Netanyahu also faces charges of fraud and breach of trust, claiming that he also made a deal with businessman Aron Mozes, the publisher of the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, in which he had a negative reputation.
The alleged agreement included favorable coverage of Netanyahu in exchange for legislation to stop the rival Israel Hayom newspaper’s decline, which had overtaken Yedioth Ahronoth. Israel Hayom’s circulation was being restricted by a legislative bill being considered.
According to the indictment summary, the two men held three meetings between 2008 and 2014 despite having “profound rivalries” between them.
According to the indictment, Netanyahu and Mozes “engaged in discussions regarding the promotion of their common interests, including improving the coverage that Mr. Netanyahu received from the Yedioth Ahronoth media group and imposing restrictions on the ‘Israel Hayom’ newspaper.”
Case 4000, the ‘ Bezeq affair ‘
In this case, Netanyahu is accused of indicting Netanyahu for granting Bezeq, an Israeli telecom company, favors in exchange for favorable coverage of Walla, a former chairman’s news website.
allegedly provided regulatory benefits to Shaul Elovitch, the owner of Bezeq, who also oversaw the news website Walla, as the communications minister at the time.
mergers and financial gains were reportedly among the benefits. Elovitch covered Netanyahu and his wife favorably in exchange.
According to the indictment summary, Netanyahu “dealted on several occasions with regulatory matters involving Mr. Elovitch” and “took specific actions to promote significant business interests of Mr. Elovitch of significant financial value.”
Netanyahu has been accused of bribery in this case in addition to fraud and breach of trust.
What other Israeli politicians face corruption charges?
Every Israeli prime minister has been the subject of a corruption investigation since 1996.
1996-99
In his first year as prime minister, Netanyahu was the subject of an investigation that included a kickback scheme and influence-peddling.
1999-2001
Ehud Barak, the prime minister, was the subject of a probe into allegations of bribery, money laundering, and illegal campaign financing.
2001-06
In the late 1990s, Ariel Sharon, the prime minister, was charged with accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in the Greek Island case.
2006-09
Ehud Olmert, the prime minister of Jerusalem, was found guilty of accepting $ 430,000 in bribes while he was mayor. He was detained in February 2016 for tax evasion, falsifying corporate records, and fraud.
2009-21
Source: Aljazeera
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