This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-50508399
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel PM charged with corruption | Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel PM charged with corruption |
(32 minutes later) | |
Israel's attorney general has charged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in connection with three separate cases. | Israel's attorney general has charged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in connection with three separate cases. |
Mr Netanyahu is alleged to have accepted gifts from wealthy businessmen and dispensed favours to try to get more positive press coverage. | Mr Netanyahu is alleged to have accepted gifts from wealthy businessmen and dispensed favours to try to get more positive press coverage. |
He has denied any wrongdoing and said he is the victim of a "witch-hunt" by his left-wing opponents and the media. | |
He has also insisted he will not resign and is not legally obliged to do so. | |
But the announcement comes amid a political stand-off in Israel following two inconclusive general elections in April and September. | But the announcement comes amid a political stand-off in Israel following two inconclusive general elections in April and September. |
On Wednesday, Mr Netanyahu's rival for the premiership, Benny Gantz, said he had been unable to form a governing coalition with a majority in parliament. He had been given the opportunity to try after Mr Netanyahu failed to do so. | |
President Reuven Rivlin asked lawmakers on Thursday to agree on a candidate for prime minister within 21 days and avoid an unprecedented third election in a year. | |
What are the charges? | |
The attorney-general, Avichai Mandelblit, said in February that he intended to indict Mr Netanyahu in connection with three cases - known as Case 1,000, Case 2,000 and Case 3,000 - pending final hearings that eventually took place last month. |