Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be indicted for corruption

Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit intends to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on corruption charges.

Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, CNN reports. This, The Times of Israel writes, would be the first time in the history of Israel that a prime minister is hit with criminal charges while in office. The announcement comes ahead of the upcoming election on April 6, in which Netanyahu is running for another term.

Netanyahu is accused of taking bribes and offering favors in exchange for positive media coverage, Reuters writes. Police had previously recommended he be indicted, per NBC News, citing his "bribe-based relationship" with the telecommunications company Bezeq, as well as the findings in two additional corruption cases. Netanyahu has denied wrongdoing and called the lengthy investigations a "witch hunt."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up