Benjamin Netanyahu Indicted: Corruption Charges
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced this investigation on Thursday after 2 years of investigating Netanyahu. Netanyahu was also recommended to be indicted for corruption by the police. The charges against Netanyahu still need to be formally addressed by a required hearing, charges include bribery, fraud and breach of trust. The hearing will likely take place after the April 9th Israeli election. The Likud Party (Netanyahu is affiliated with this party) claimed that this was a move of political persecution and that it is a smear campaign against Netanyahu.
One of the three major cases on Benjamin Netanyahu notes that he allegedly accepted around $260k worth of gifts from influential businessmen in return for favorable coverage in the media. He could face up to 13 years in Federal prison if convicted of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
Israel Election
Netanyahu is still seeking a 4th-consecutive term, if he does win the election then he'll be the longest serving Prime Minister in Israel. Current poll numbers from the Times of Israel have the Likud party at 19% of people who would likely vote for them. 23% Said they would likely rather vote for the Blue and White party prior to the indictment announcement. After the announcement, the Likud Party falls to 15% losing significant support to the Blue and White Party.
Benjamin Netanyahu does not plan to resign after these recent events and is going to proceed with his election campaign. Opponents have called Benjamin Netanyahu to step down immediately.
