Israel's Supreme Court clears Netanyahu to form government despite corruption charges

[webfact]

Israel's Supreme Court clears Netanyahu to form government despite corruption charges

 

FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks as he chairs the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, March 8, 2020. Oded Balilty/Pool via Reuters

 

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's indictment on corruption charges does not disqualify him from forming a government, Israel's top court said on Wednesday, paving the way for the veteran leader to remain in power.

 

In its ruling against opposition petitioners, the Supreme Court also found that Netanyahu's unity government deal with his election rival Benny Gantz does not violate the law, dismissing arguments that it unlawfully shields him in a corruption trial.

 

The ruling removes a critical legal hurdle to the coalition government the right-wing Netanyahu and centrist Gantz plan to swear in next week, following three inconclusive elections in the past year.

 

It also moves the country closer to ending its political deadlock as it grapples with the coronavirus crisis and its economic fallout.

 

In unanimous rulings, the 11-justice panel "found no legal basis to prevent Knesset member Netanyahu from forming the government".

 

But it added that its decision "should not be construed as diminishing the gravity of the charges faced by against public probity, nor the difficulty posed by the tenure of a prime minister accused of crimes."

 

The court added that Netanyahu has the right to presumption of innocence.

 

Netanyahu was indicted in January on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He denies any wrongdoing in all three cases.

 

The enormity of the coronavirus pandemic pushed Gantz to backtrack on a campaign pledge not to serve in a government led by a premier facing criminal charges, and instead sign an emergency unity deal with his rival.

 

Under the terms of the deal, Netanyahu would serve as prime minister of a new administration for 18 months before handing the reins to Gantz.

 

Court petitioners, including opposition parties and democracy watchdogs, had argued that the pact shields Netanyahu from legal penalties -- in part by giving the premier what they saw as undue sway over the outcome of his own corruption trial.

 

The justices acknowledged that the former rivals' deal was "unusual" in the country's history, but said they had decided "there are no grounds for interference in any of its clauses".

 

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday night, Netanyahu's Likud party and Gantz's Blue and White said they would hold a swearing-in ceremony for their government on May 13, "following the completion of the legislative process this evening".

 

Netanyahu, 70, was indicted in January on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He denies any wrongdoing in all three cases. His trial is set to open on May 24.

 

(Reporting by Rami Ayyub and Dan Williams; Editing by Howard Goller)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-05-07

 

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[pegman]

This saga has been playing out forever. Obviously there is no justice to be had in Israel. All indications are the guy is a crook and should not be heading government. 

[DaddyWarbucks]

2 hours ago, pegman said:

This saga has been playing out forever. Obviously there is no justice to be had in Israel. All indications are the guy is a crook and should not be heading government. 

No surprises there.

It's only fitting that a crook should be at the helm.

[ezzra]

2 hours ago, pegman said:

This saga has been playing out forever. Obviously there is no justice to be had in Israel. All indications are the guy is a crook and should not be heading government. 

Dimwitted observations, " no justice to be had in Israel" and you base these allegations on what exactly? on your vast knowledge of justice in Israel or prejudice notions and BDS affiliations?...

[DaddyWarbucks]

12 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Dimwitted observations, " no justice to be had in Israel" and you base these allegations on what exactly? on your vast knowledge of justice in Israel or prejudice notions and BDS affiliations?...

Nothing "dimwitted" about those observations.

Israel has been expanding its territory by devious means ever since it was founded in 1948.

Netanyahu's lack of personal integrity makes him the logical choice to lead the state.

[Greenhill]

7 hours ago, pegman said:

This saga has been playing out forever. Obviously there is no justice to be had in Israel. All indications are the guy is a crook and should not be heading government. 

Actually, there is very good justice in Israel, which is why they wait for a court to decide whether he's guilty or not!!!!     However, you have already found him guilty!!    Is that what you consider to be justice??

[Greenhill]

5 hours ago, DaddyWarbucks said:

No surprises there.

It's only fitting that a crook should be at the helm.

Another 'objective' comment!!!!!    You've also found him guilty- from afar!!!!!    Well done!!!!!

[Bluespunk]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's indictment on corruption charges does not disqualify him from forming a government, Israel's top court said on Wednesday, paving the way for the veteran leader to remain in power.

 

In its ruling against opposition petitioners, the Supreme Court also found that Netanyahu's unity government deal with his election rival Benny Gantz does not violate the law, dismissing arguments that it unlawfully shields him in a corruption trial.

''"the law is a ass — a idiot. If that's the eye of the law, the law is a bachelor; and the worst I wish the law is, that his eye may be opened by experience — by experience.”

 

Charles Dickens

[VillageIdiot]

1 hour ago, Greenhill said:

Another 'objective' comment!!!!!    You've also found him guilty- from afar!!!!!    Well done!!!!!

Cor Blimey Guv'nah you'd let Aaron Kosminski himself walk free to where the beat meet the elite.

[Mavideol]

7 hours ago, DaddyWarbucks said:

No surprises there.

It's only fitting that a crook should be at the helm.

 US copy cat..... birds of the feather flick together.   Trump indicted still at the helm of the US Netanyahu under corruption charges still able to form a government 555

Edited May 7, 2020 by Mavideol

[1Gringo]

the level of grammar on this forum is appalling.

[riclag]

Welcome  back Mr. bebe

[hotchilli]

On 5/7/2020 at 8:07 AM, pegman said:

This saga has been playing out forever. Obviously there is no justice to be had in Israel. All indications are the guy is a crook and should not be heading government. 

Could be said for 99% of the worlds leaders.