Haaretz Reports the 'Confirmation' of Netanyahu's Trial

The Israeli newspaper 'Haaretz' reported on Sunday, August 6, that the trial of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the country, has been 'confirmed'. Haaretz also wrote that the questioning of Mr. Netanyahu by the anti-corruption unit of the Israeli police is likely to continue until the end of 2017. Israeli media had previously reported that the police and the Israeli prosecution agree on filing an indictment against Benjamin Netanyahu, although this has not yet been implemented. The Israeli police confirmed on Thursday, August 3, that the charges against Mr. Netanyahu include 'receiving bribes'. The police stated that the anti-corruption unit's investigations into two cases against the Israeli Prime Minister, named 'Case 1000' and 'Case 2000', have raised suspicions of corruption and breach of trust. 'Case 1000' involves receiving personal gifts from billionaire friends of the Prime Minister, while 'Case 2000' concerns his alleged collusion with the owner of the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper to strengthen Netanyahu's position at the expense of the rival newspaper 'Israel Hayom'. The Prime Minister has been questioned several times in connection with these two cases in recent months. Meanwhile, Ari Harow, former chief of staff to the Israeli Prime Minister, signed an agreement with the country's judicial authorities on Friday, August 4, to testify against the Prime Minister in exchange for not being prosecuted. Ari Harow, an American-born immigrant and loyal to Mr. Netanyahu, has been a consultant to Benjamin Netanyahu for 15 years and responsible for his financial affairs. On Saturday evening, while hundreds of Israelis protested in the center of the country demanding the prosecution to file charges against Mr. Netanyahu, a group of Likud party supporters also gathered in support of their party leader. According to Israeli media, Benjamin Netanyahu held his weekly government meeting on Sunday without commenting on recent events. However, on Friday, in a video clip addressing the people of Israel, he referred to the accusations against him as 'marginalization' and stated that he would 'continue to serve'. On the other hand, not only have opposition party leaders called for Benjamin Netanyahu to resign from his position, but some of his former supporters, such as Dan Meridor, stated on Sunday that a Prime Minister under suspicion cannot govern properly. According to Haaretz, as investigations against Mr. Netanyahu expand, many of his allies are refraining from publicly defending him. Avi Gabbay, the new leader of the Labor Party, and Yair Lapid, the leader of the 'There is a Future' party, are preparing to seize power and have pressured Benjamin Netanyahu to resign to hold early elections.