[ Benjamin Netanyahu called corruption charges filed against him
"an attempted coup" against an acting prime minister, the process is
meant to topple him. Saying he will not let lies prevail, calls to
investigate the investigators. Sound familiar?]
[[link removed]]

NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW - NETANYAHU DECRIES 'ATTEMPTED COUP' AGAINST
HIM AFTER CORRUPTION CHARGES   [[link removed]]

 

November 21, 2019
Haaretz
[[link removed]]


*
[[link removed]]
*
[[link removed]]
*
* [[link removed]]

_ Benjamin Netanyahu called corruption charges filed against him "an
attempted coup" against an acting prime minister, the process is meant
to topple him. Saying he 'will not let lies prevail,' calls to
'investigate the investigators'. Sound familiar? _

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking during a faction
meeting of the right-wing bloc at the Knesset, Jerusalem, November 20,
2019., credit: Oded Balilty,AP // Haaretz

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday called the corruption
charges filed against him "an attempted coup" against an acting prime
minister, and that the process is meant to topple him.

Earlier Thursday, Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit announced he was
indicting Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three
corruption cases, marking the first time an acting Israeli prime
minister is charged with such offenses.

In a televised statement that was closed to the press, Netanyahu said
that while he holds Israel's judicial authorities in high regard, 
"you would have to be blind not to see that something bad is happening
with the police and the prosecution, because tonight we are witnessing
an attempted government coup against the prime minister through blood
libels and a biased investigation process."

Related Articles

* Netanyahu charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust, capping
a dramatic political year
[[link removed]]

* Israel’s gatekeepers bravely stood up to Netanyahu. But the real
battle lies ahead
[[link removed]]

* Netanyahu was just indicted. Can he remain PM after charges and
get immunity?
[[link removed]]


Netanyahu said the timing of the announcement, which he claimed was
the most sensitive in the history Israeli politics, "highlights how
much this decision is tainted by extraneous considerations, aiming to
bring down a right-wing prime minister."

He alleged that the "tainted investigation process" against him
included fabricating cases. "This process, which culminated today is
appalling. I'm not the only one appalled. Many of Israel's citizens
are also appalled, and not only who those who are right-wing."

In reference to Nir Hefetz, his former media adviser who turned
state's evidence, the prime minister said: “They took Nir Hefetz and
extorted him through threats, telling him [we will] 'destroy your
family and strip you of all of your assets, and your children will
never speak with you again.'" 

Netanyahu added that the investigators "concealed the extortion from
the attorney general and later imposed a gag order on it."
 

He called for "an independent committee to investigate this tactic and
put an end to this. It's time to investigate the investigators, and
the prosecution that authorizes these tainted investigations. I won't
let lies prevail. I will continue leading this country, in accordance
with the law, with devotion and seeing to the future and security of
all of us."

"I, AS OPPOSED TO MY RIVALS ON THE LEFT, WANT TO SEE A FREE MARKET, A
RANGE OF OPINIONS IN THE MEDIA," HE SAID. "I AM A PRIME MINISTER WHO
BELIEVES IN A STRONG ISRAEL, AND NOT IN A WEAK AND SMALL COUNTRY THAT
BOWS DOWN TO OTHERS."

Earlier Thursday, Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit announced he was
indicting Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three
corruption cases, marking the first time an acting Israeli prime
minister is charged with such offenses.

The indictment comes after a four-day hearing with Netanyahu's defense
team last month, followed by weeks of intensive discussion at the
attorney general's offices.

Laying out the charges in a press conference, Mendelblit said he made
the decision to indict the prime minister "with a heavy heart, but
wholeheartedly," stressing it was not an issue of left-wing or
right-wing politics and that enforcing the law is not a matter of
choice.

The attorney general lamented that "while conducting a professional
hearing process, we've witnessed repeated attempts to delegitimize the
people who were involved" in the investigations. These people, he
said, "acted out of proper motives."

The delegitimization "was meant to create the impression that any
decision taken would be wrong. The investigations are based on a broad
infrastructure of evidence and testimony, which were professionally
reviewed. No stone was left unturned," the attorney general said.

After Netanyahu had delivered his statement, his political rival and
Kahol Lavan Gantz said he has "complete confidence in the judicial
system led by Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit. I'm sure they are
doing their job with professionalism, integrity and loyalty.

"Israel is not undergoing a government coup, rather an entrenchment in
power. Netanyahu has proven tonight that he must leave his post and
focus on his legal woes. He too is aware of the major complex
challenges Israel is facing both in the field of security and in
socioeconomic matters, which require the full attention, strength and
energy of a prime minister," Gantz said.    

Former deputy army chief and Democratic Union lawmaker Yair Golan
called on the legal adviser to the Knesset, Eyal Yinon and the
attorney general to clarify whether a person charged with criminal
offenses can be nominated by a majority of lawmakers as a candidate
tasked to form a governing coalition.

Of the three cases, dubbed Cases 1000, 2000 and 4000, the latter is
considered the gravest. It revolves around an alleged bribery deal
between Netanyahu and businessman Shaul Elovich, who controlled the
Bezeq telecommunications company and the Walla News site.

According to the indictment, Netanyahu and Elovich engaged in a
quid-pro-pro deal in which Netanyahu – as communication minister –
led regulatory steps directly tied to Elovich's businesses and
interests that yielded the tycoon some $500 million.

At the center of Case 2000 is a series of meetings between Netanyahu
and the publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth daily newspaper, Arnon Mozes, in
which they allegedly discussed a bribery deal. According to the
indictment, the deal called for Netanyahu to try to limit the
circulation of rival newspaper Israel Hayom, and in return Mozes would
give Netanyahu favorable coverage. In this case, Netanyahu is accused
of fraud and breach of trust.

In Case 1000, Netanyahu is also accused of fraud and breach of trust
over gifts he allegedly received from Hollywood Mogul Arnon Milchan
and billionaire James Packer. According to the indictment, Netanyahu
received cigars and champagne from the two over the course of several
years. Netanyahu's family members, the indictment states, also
demanded and received gifts from the businessmen, and Netanyahu was
aware of this fact. Mendelblit writes in the indictment that Netanyahu
put himself in a conflict of interests and used his public role to
receive gifts.

*
[[link removed]]
*
[[link removed]]
*
* [[link removed]]

 

 

 

INTERPRET THE WORLD AND CHANGE IT

 

 

Submit via web [[link removed]]
Submit via email
Frequently asked questions [[link removed]]
Manage subscription [[link removed]]
Visit xxxxxx.org [[link removed]]

Twitter [[link removed]]

Facebook [[link removed]]

 




[link removed]

To unsubscribe, click the following link:
[link removed]