John Podhoretz: The Irony of Netanyahu’s Crisis
In a classic political Rorschach test, you can view these as horrible examples of deep corruption. But, generally speaking, many if not most people who do so have personal or ideological beefs against Netanyahu and see all this as the way to get him out of power. Or you can see them as an act of revenge against Netanyahu by one of the almost countless number of Israeli political figures who were once allied with him. That’s Bibi’s claim against attorney general Avichai Mandalblit, whose original appointment in 2015 by Netanyahu was viewed by anti-Bibi forces as the installation of an ally who would protect him from precisely the sort of thing that has now happened.
So the ironies abound. It’s more than merely conceivable that Netanyahu can beat these charges in a court of law, but can he defend himself and remain prime minister at the same time? The very idea of granting immunity from prosecution to an elected leader during his tenure is to prevent distractions of this sort—on the grounds that the country’s interest is more important. You can see how this might work at a time when Israel is girding itself for a possible two-front war against Iranian proxies.
Bibi would seem to be the best person to be at the helm at this moment. But statutorily, that might not be the case. Given that he has been unable to form a coalition—twice—he is effectively running a caretaker government. It’s far from clear what specific claim he has on the PM’s office given that fact—or that, given what has happened, he has an argument he needs protection from prosecution because he is the legitimately elected leader. The horrible fact is that Israel might need him more than ever, but it won’t be able to have him.
The Bibi Indictments
For more than two years, Israel has anticipated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may well be indicted on multiple counts of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust. That it has actually happened leaves the nation stunned. Respected by his enemies for his brilliance, tenacity, and political genius, and revered by his supporters, Netanyahu is cornered, angry, desperate. As might anyone be in his circumstances.David Horovitz: Asking us to side with him against state, Netanyahu harms his beloved Israel
On Thursday evening, a very somber Avichai Mandelblit, Israel’s attorney general, spoke on national television, saying that this moment—the first time a sitting Israeli PM will be charged criminally —was not partisan. This very sad occasion, he intoned, must remind us of the duty to safeguard fundamental democratic institutions, founded on equality and accountability for all.
A former career military prosecutor and hand-picked cabinet secretary to Netanyahu from ‘13 to ‘16, Mandelblit was then appointed AG. His tenure has been marked by consistent and accelerating attacks by right-wing political interests, including Netanyahu, on the integrity of the justice system. Mandelblit and his staff have been anything but impetuous, moving glacially before getting to this point, very mindful of the grievous damage that an unsubstantiated prosecution might do to the state and the individual.
Then Bibi took to the airwaves. Shakespearean in his fury, he raged against the conspiracy of interests determined to ruin him and his family. “It is a coup,” he said, “of the justice system to topple his government.” He demanded that the investigators, whom he accused of bias, be investigated. He railed against the police and judiciary. They would not succeed, he warned, because he and his power bloc would not allow it. Condemnation of Bibi from his political adversaries was swift, but support from his allies was slower than usual in coming, a marked change from past political crises. By Friday morning, several of Bibi’s key political allies issued tepid statements affirming their belief in his innocence but saying little more.
Earlier this week, Blue and White Leader Benny Gantz conceded that he could not form a governing coalition. So now, in another first for Israel, all 120 elected MKs now have 21 days in which to attempt to do it somehow—a long shot that may, however, actually result in the unity government desired by the vast majority of Israelis.
Among Israelis and those who care about Israel, there should be no celebrating the attorney general’s announcement Thursday that Benjamin Netanyahu is to stand trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu is the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history, an astute, intelligent and articulate leader who has repeatedly won the public’s trust at the ballot box and steered Israel through the past decade’s multi-threatening challenges in a dangerous, unpredictable Middle East.
But neither should there be any underestimating the gravity of the conclusion carefully drawn by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit — at the end of a protracted investigation, and after weighing a final effort by Netanyahu’s attorneys to dissuade him — that the prime minister must answer in court for his actions in the three graft cases against him.
The allegations that the prime minister criminally abused his office are “grave,” Mandelblit made clear in a 15-minute appearance Thursday evening at which he exuded a mixture of competence, responsibility, certainty about his decision, and sorrow about its consequences.
Since it was his firm conclusion that there was “a reasonable likelihood” Netanyahu would be convicted of the offenses, Mandelblit stressed, “it was my legal obligation to press charges — not a choice, but a requirement.” At the same time, he stressed, Netanyahu retains the presumption of innocence; it is the judges who will decide his fate.
Thursday’s announcement marks the first time in Israel’s history that criminal charges have been issued against a serving prime minister, but it does not automatically mark the end of the road for Netanyahu. He can seek immunity from prosecution via the Knesset — a process that could take months, given that Israeli politics is largely paralyzed in the wake of April’s and September’s deadlocked elections, and the Knesset House Committee that would consider an immunity request has not been selected and may not be functional for weeks or even months.