Benjamin Netanyahu will seek immunity from parliament, the Israeli Prime Minister said in a speech on live television just hours before the expiry of a deadline which could have set legal proceedings against him in motion
JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday he would ask parliament to protect him from prosecution in the three graft cases he faces, a politically-risky move that could delay criminal proceedings against him for months.
A trial cannot get under way once an immunity request is made, and Netanyahu announced the move in a speech on live television just four hours before a deadline for an application was to expire. Under Israel law, a legislator seeking immunity can do so on numerous grounds that include an argument that the prosecution is not acting in good faith.
If immunity is ultimately granted - entitling Netanyahu to avoid standing trial as long as he is a member of parliament - - Israel’s Supreme Court is empowered to review the decision and strike it down.
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