Netanyahu says he will not resign if indicted in corruption probes
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Monday he would not resign despite facing numerous potential indictments on corruption charges.
“I do not intend to resign,” Netanyahu said in a surprise conference at the end of his political visit to Brazil.
“In a democracy the ballot box decides who will be in power,” the prime minister noted, as Israel prepares to hold snap elections on April 9th.
The press conference marked the end of Netanyahu’s visit to Brazil where he met with newly-elected President Jair Bolsonaro, a controversial right-wing leader who has vowed to move his country’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Netanyahu faces at least three criminal probes in which police have recommended his indictment for bribery and corruption, leaving the final decision on whether or not he will be indicted up to the attorney general.
Yet, Netanyahu made clear on Monday that the criminal cases would not force his hand to relinquish political power.
If Netanyahu is indicted, he is not required to step down -- only if he is convicted with all appeals exhausted. The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, can ask the prime minister to step down before that process is complete, but if it does not, he can remain in office throughout.
Despite Netanyahu's recent legal and political troubles, polls have indicated he would remain prime minister after new elections putting him in line to become Israel's longest-serving premier.
“Israel is a state of law and according to the law, a prime minister does not have to resign during a hearing process,” Netanyahu added. “The hearing will not end until you hear my side and therefore it makes no sense to start a hearing process before the elections if you cannot finish it until after the elections."
Asked whether he would withdraw from politics if he loses the upcoming elections, Netanyahu replied: "Do not expel me so quickly. The State of Israel needs strong and steady leadership and my relations with world leaders, including Putin and Trump, are something that no other Israeli leader can reach."
Asked about the recently announced political party founded by former Jewish Home leaders Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked, Netanyahu claimed it was a dangerous move.
“There are two dangers in this process. First of all, it is endangering the small right-wing parties that may not pass the threshold,” Netanyahu said of Bennett and Shaked’s “New Right” (HaYamin HeHadash) party. “Second, no one knows what they will do with the mandates they received. They have already joined the left in the past.”