Netanyahu defiant as police recommend his indictment over bribery charges

The Israeli PM says he has no intentions of resigning after detectives recommended his indictment for corruption after a lengthy investigation.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that his coalition government remains stable and would continue to govern despite police recommendations that he be indicted for bribery.
Reuters

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that his coalition government remains stable and would continue to govern despite police recommendations that he be indicted for bribery.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday his government was "stable" and criticised the police investigation against him after detectives recommended his indictment for corruption, prompting calls for him to resign.

Netanyahu said the police probe against him was like "Swiss cheese, full of holes".

"I can reassure you that the coalition is stable," Netanyahu said at an event in Tel Aviv, again making clear he had no intention of resigning.

"Neither me nor anyone else has plans for elections. We're going to continue to work together for the good of Israeli citizens until the end of the term."

Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Hadad, said police recommendations of corruption charges against the prime minister are based on "false" statements.

TRT World's Soraya Lennie has the latest from Jerusalem.

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The recommendations marked a dramatic ending to a months-long investigation into allegations that Netanyahu accepted tens of thousands of dollars in lavish gifts from a Hollywood mogul and offered to give preferential treatment to a newspaper publisher in exchange for favorable coverage. Netanyahu has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

In live TV address to the nation, Netanyahu said the police recommendations against him will "end with nothing," adding his lengthy political career has been solely "for the good of the nation." 

Netanyahu accused police of being on a witch hunt against him and vowed to remain in office. He wrapped up by vowing to stay in office and run for re-election. 

Here's a look at the cases against the Israeli PM.

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The recommendations now go to Attorney General Avihai Mendelblit, who will review the material before deciding whether to file charges. Netanyahu can remain in office during that process, which could drag on for months.

But with a cloud hanging over his head, he could soon find himself facing calls to step aside. During similar circumstances a decade ago, Netanyahu, as opposition leader, urged then-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign during a police investigation, saying a leader "sunk up to his neck in interrogations" could not govern properly.

For months, police have been investigating two cases.

In one probe, called File 1000, Netanyahu reportedly received over $100,000 in gifts including champagne and expensive cigars from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan, Australian billionaire James Packer and other wealthy supporters.

The other is over secret talks with the publisher of Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot. In recordings obtained by police, Netanyahu allegedly requested positive coverage in exchange for reining in a free pro-Netanyahu daily.

Channels 10 and 2 TV and the Jerusalem Post and Haaretz newspapers reported police recommended indictments in both cases. The attorney general will now review their conclusions and decide whether to file charges.

Police were expected to make a formal announcement later Tuesday, and Netanyahu was expected to issue a response.

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