Netanyahu to Be Charged With Bribery Pending Hearing

Israel’s Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit announced on Thursday his decision to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases, pending a hearing.

■ In Case 4000, Netanyahu is accused of providing regulatory concessions to Shaul Elovitch, the controlling shareholder of Bezeq telecommunications, in exchange for favorable coverage from Bezeq’s news website, Walla. The charge: Bribery and breach of trust.

■ In Case 1000, in which the prime minister is alleged to have accepted gifts from wealthy business figures in return for political favors. The charge: Fraud and breach of trust.

■ In Case 2000, which centers around a deal between the prime minister and Arnon Mozes – favorable coverage in return for damaging Sheldon Adelson’s competing newspaper, Israel Hayom. The charge: Fraud and breach of trust.

Mendelblit’s decision comes after three years of investigations, and it marks the first time in Israel’s history that an attorney general announces an indictment for bribery against an incumbent prime minister.

>> Read more: Israel’s double rule exposed ■ Netanyahu looks to world stage for help ■ This changes everything ■ Netanyahu’s response is plea for putsch ■ What happens next

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– Netanyahu to be charged with bribery pending hearing