Netanyahu, Indicted on Corruption Charges, Officially Requests Parliamentary Immunity

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been indicted on corruption charges, officially requested parliamentary immunity from the Knesset ahead of the March general election, according to reports by the Jerusalem Post and others on the 1st (local time).

According to the reports, Prime Minister Netanyahu made this request in a letter sent to Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein. This day was the last day Netanyahu could claim immunity, and if he did not assert it, judicial proceedings were set to begin immediately.

Netanyahu was indicted in November last year on charges including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He denies the charges, claiming to be a victim of an unjust conspiracy, and criticized the prosecution, media, and political opponents. He explained that his request for immunity was to protect representatives elected by the people from fabricated crimes.

In a speech at the Orient Hotel in Jerusalem, Netanyahu stated that his request for immunity was not to evade justice but solely to continue the term granted by the Knesset. He also added that the request was temporary and that he would later go to court to refute the charges.

Israel will hold a general election on March 2. This will be the third election within a year, following those in April and September last year. Both Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, leader of the opposition Blue and White Party, failed to form a coalition government, leading to consecutive elections.

The issue is that under Israeli law, parliamentary immunity requires a vote by the House Committee and the entire parliament. Recently, due to the failure to form a coalition government, the House Committee is vacant, making it difficult to proceed with the immunity process itself. Gantz criticized Netanyahu's request for immunity, saying, "I never imagined the day would come when the Israeli Prime Minister would avoid standing before the law and judicial system."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.