JERUSALEM, Dec 2, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Israeli police on Sunday recommended
indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara for bribery and
other offences, the third such recommendation against the premier in recent
months.
The attorney general will now decide whether to bring indictments in the
case, which centres on regulatory benefits allegedly granted to
telecommunications firm Bezeq in exchange for positive coverage from a
related media company.
Police in February recommended indicting the prime minister in two other
corruption investigations.
Netanyahu immediately rejected the accusations against him and his wife,
claiming “these recommendations were determined and leaked even before the
investigations began.”
He has repeatedly called the allegations against him in all three cases a
plot by his political enemies to force him from office.
“I’m sure that in this case the relevant authorities, after examining the
issue, will reach the same conclusion: that there was nothing because there
is nothing,” he said in a statement.
Police said there was evidence to charge Netanyahu with bribery, fraud,
breach of trust and unlawful acceptance.
They recommended Sara Netanyahu face charges of bribery, fraud, breach of
trust and obstruction of evidence.
The three cases involving the long-serving premier have led to speculation
over whether he will eventually have to step down.