DPA
Tel Aviv
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed the Justice Ministry on Thursday that he will give up his ministerial portfolios by January 1 in light of corruption charges against him.
In addition to the post of prime minister, which he will retain, Netanyahu currently acts as minister for welfare, diaspora affairs, agriculture and health. Netanyahu will also appoint his replacements by January 1, the Justice Ministry said in a statement.
Netanyahu’s move comes in response to a petition filed by the good-governance group Movement for the Quality of Government in Israel to the Supreme Court to have him removed from office.
The group criticized the fact that Netanyahu chose to give up the portfolios only after the petition had been filed, and waited weeks to do so. "This is not enough,” the group wrote on Twitter, again calling for him to give up the prime ministerial position as well.
The country will hold an unprecedented third election within a year on March 2 after the Knesset voted to dissolve itself on Thursday amid a political stalemate that has grasped Israel since September elections.
Under Israeli law, Netanyahu does not have to step down as prime minister if he’s indicted, and he has said that he has no plans to give up the position. However, legal precedent stipulates that ministers cannot hold on to their position when they are on trial.
Last month, Israel’s attorney general announced that Netanyahu would be charged with fraud, breach of trust and bribery in three separate cases, making him Israel’s first sitting premier to face indictment.
Netanyahu has spoken of a "witch-hunt” and "coup attempt” against him, and has repeatedly hurled attacks at Israel’s Justice Ministry. He has until January 1 to request immunity from parliament.
Avigdor Liberman, the leader of the far-right Yisrael Beiteinu party who was seen as kingmaker during coalition talks, told the ynet news outlet that he would support pardoning Netanyahu if he left politics.
"Everyone is prepared to give him an opportunity to retire in dignity,” said Liberman, who is against granting Netanyahu immunity.
Tel Aviv
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed the Justice Ministry on Thursday that he will give up his ministerial portfolios by January 1 in light of corruption charges against him.
In addition to the post of prime minister, which he will retain, Netanyahu currently acts as minister for welfare, diaspora affairs, agriculture and health. Netanyahu will also appoint his replacements by January 1, the Justice Ministry said in a statement.
Netanyahu’s move comes in response to a petition filed by the good-governance group Movement for the Quality of Government in Israel to the Supreme Court to have him removed from office.
The group criticized the fact that Netanyahu chose to give up the portfolios only after the petition had been filed, and waited weeks to do so. "This is not enough,” the group wrote on Twitter, again calling for him to give up the prime ministerial position as well.
The country will hold an unprecedented third election within a year on March 2 after the Knesset voted to dissolve itself on Thursday amid a political stalemate that has grasped Israel since September elections.
Under Israeli law, Netanyahu does not have to step down as prime minister if he’s indicted, and he has said that he has no plans to give up the position. However, legal precedent stipulates that ministers cannot hold on to their position when they are on trial.
Last month, Israel’s attorney general announced that Netanyahu would be charged with fraud, breach of trust and bribery in three separate cases, making him Israel’s first sitting premier to face indictment.
Netanyahu has spoken of a "witch-hunt” and "coup attempt” against him, and has repeatedly hurled attacks at Israel’s Justice Ministry. He has until January 1 to request immunity from parliament.
Avigdor Liberman, the leader of the far-right Yisrael Beiteinu party who was seen as kingmaker during coalition talks, told the ynet news outlet that he would support pardoning Netanyahu if he left politics.
"Everyone is prepared to give him an opportunity to retire in dignity,” said Liberman, who is against granting Netanyahu immunity.