Thursday, February 01, 2018 7:10:15 PM
How Long Can Netanyahu Continue to Serve as Prime Minister? A Short Guide
"How Bibi’s Arrest Or Election Defeat Could Revive The Peace Process"
With Netanyahu's former aide turning state's evidence, PM is likely to face charges.
Will a police recommendation lead to his ouster? And when if the coalition rallies behind him?
Here's what we can expect
Haaretz Aug 07, 2017 6:18 PM
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a weekly cabinet meeting, July 23, 2017 Ohad Zwigenberg
* All the scandals involving Netanyahu, and where they stand
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/all-the-scandals-involving-netanyahu-and-where-they-stand-1.5440549
* Netanyahu's corruption isn't the problem, it's his ideology
https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-its-netanyahu-s-policies-not-him-1.5440693
* Netanyahu failed to learn from history and now faces a slow, painful political death
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/failing-to-learn-from-past-pm-faces-slow-political-death-1.5440420
So a states witness agreement was signed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus former bureau chief Ari Harow. How dramatic is this?
Ari Harow .. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.805220 .. contributes significant details to the Netanyahu .. http://www.haaretz.com/misc/tags/tags-1.476753 .. investigation. This is a dramatic development not only because of the information Harow gives, but because the agreement itself almost necessarily means that Netanyahu will be put on trial. Harow himself was facing a charge of bribery and as part of the states witness deal .. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.805196 .. he will only do community service. If the prosecution did not intend to try Netanyahu and use Harows testimony, it would not have been so lenient with the sentence.
And what now?
In the short term, Harow is getting Netanyahu into trouble but in the long term, he is buying Netanyahu time. Harows testimony is expected to extend the investigation because now a number of witnesses will have to be questioned. Netanyahu, who has not been questioned for five months, will also have to present his version of events in light of what Harow says.
At what point will Netanyahus political future hang in the balance?
The first hurdle will be a police recommendation to indict him. That will happen at the earliest after the High Holy Days, but under certain circumstances it could drag out .. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.805202 .. until the beginning of 2018. Even now it can be said the police are expected to determine that an evidentiary basis exists against Netanyahu in two cases, Case 1000 and Case 2000. (See below.)
Will the police recommendation lead to Netanyahus ousting?
A police recommendation to indict does not require an elected official to resign. But the harsher the recommendation, the more the political arena will exert pressure to oust Netanyahu. If the police recommend an indictment for bribery .. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.805474 , Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon will have to decide between resigning from the government and going to elections, or continuing to support Netanyahu despite the cloud hanging over him.
Is the police recommendation expected to include a bribery clause?
Benjamin Netanyahu and Ari Harow. Amos Biderman
In Case 1000 .. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.770910 , Netanyahu is suspected of receiving hundreds of thousands of shekels worth of benefits from businessman Arnon Milchan. These allegedly included a continuous supply of expensive cigars, Champagne and jewelry delivered by intermediaries and using code words. It is alleged that at the same time, Netanyahu was acting in Milchans interest in a deal to sell Channel 10 and in other media matters, as well as helping him get a visa by approaching the U.S. administration. The greater the suspicion that the relationship was mutual, the more the chances that the attorney general will bring a charge of bribery rather than the lesser charge of breach of trust.
What about Case 2000?
Case 2000 .. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.805244 .. is basically a bribery case. Netanyahu was recorded talking to the publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth, Arnon Mozes, about an alleged deal to benefit both parties: Mozes would give Netanyahu favorable coverage in Yedioth and the Ynet news site, and Netanyahu would act to curb competition from the free newspaper Israel Hayom through legislation or limiting its distribution.
How did Harows information move these cases ahead?
Harows testimony is under gag order. But generally it can be said that in Case 1000, Harow might be able to shed light on the alleged mutual ties between Netanyahu and Milchan. In Case 2000, the prosecution wants to show that Netanyahus claim – that he was just pretending and never really meant to close a deal with Mozes – is false. It is believed Harow was sent to Israel Hayom owner Sheldon Adelson .. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.805619 .. to check whether the deal could be made. Harows testimony about such a mission could strengthen the suspicion that Netanyahu was serious about it.
And what about the submarines affair?
Netanyahu is not a suspect in that case. His attorney David Shimron .. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/LIVE-1.753695/david-shimron .. did represent an agent of the German manufacturers, but Netanyahu would be suspected of conflict of interest and breach of trust only if testimony emerged that Netanyahu knew about Shimrons involvement. There is no known testimony to that effect. It was reported that Harow would be giving information about the submarines affair, but there is no indication that the information has to do with Netanyahus involvement.
What about the Bezeq affair?
The prime minister is not a suspect in this case, either. However, the main suspect is the director general of the Communications Ministry, Shlomo Filber, who was a personal Netanyahu appointee. Filber is alleged to have acted systematically to promote the interests of Bezeq, which is owned by a close associate of Netanyahus, Shaul Elovitch.
Netanyahu could also get into trouble because of a subplot in this affair. While acting as communications minister, Netanyahu submitted a false official statement in which he failed to divulge his friendship with Elovitch. The statement could lead to an investigation of Netanyahu on suspicion of concealing a conflict of interest, and a breach of trust.
Returning to the police recommendation, if Kahlon doesnt set off new elections and Netanyahu doesnt resign, what is his next hurdle?
Attorney General Avichai Mendelblits decision, pending a hearing, on whether to indict him. The attorney general is expected to make his decision public a few months after the police make their recommendation. In the Rishon Tours double-billing case against former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, it was two months between the police recommendation and the attorney generals decision. In the Holyland case against Olmert, it took seven months.
And if the attorney general decides to indict Netanyahu, pending a hearing, will Netanyahu have to resign?
By law, no. However, the attorney generals decision will be accompanied by a statement giving details of Netanyahus alleged acts. If the attorney general informs the public that there is evidence the prime minister took a bribe, the chances are greater that Kahlon or others will bolt the coalition, bringing on new elections.
And if the coalition rallies around Netanyahu?
Then the next stop is a final decision on an indictment, after a hearing. That could be the last stop. A scenario in which the political arena allows Netanyahu to remain prime minister while on trial for corruption is widely considered to be unlikely.
But if the coalition still doesnt oust him?
Then the High Court of Justice could intervene. At this point there will certainly be petitions against Netanyahus continuing in office. The law does not require him to resign, but the court has said that a minister who is indicted is immediately to be dismissed, so as not to compromise public trust. The petitioners will argue that if public trust is compromised by a minister on trial continuing in office, it will be compromised all the more if that minister is the prime minister. But Netanyahu can counter that the law regarding a prime minister is different because ousting him means new elections. He can also cite in his defense clause 23c of the Basic Law on the Government, which states that the law on dismissal of indicted ministers specifically does not apply to the prime minister.
Lets say the High Court rejects the petitions and allows him to continue in office?
Theoretically, Netanyahu can continue in office until he is convicted of a crime that carries moral turpitude, and, if he appeals, until his appeal is rejected by the highest court.
And in the case of a final conviction with moral turpitude, is the saga over?
Almost. In such a case, within a month, the Knesset has to discuss removing the prime minister. If after a month the Knesset has not removed him, he is automatically dismissed.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/how-long-can-netanyahu-continue-to-serve-as-pm-a-short-guide-1.5440663
--
Former police adviser: Netanyahu indictments will be 'earth-shattering'
> Police question Netanyahu for seventh time in corruption probe
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Interrogators-arrive-at-PMs-residence-to-question-Netanyahu-for-seventh-time-518156
> Should Netanyahu have to quit if police recommend to indict him?
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Former-police-adviser-Netanyahu-indictments-will-be-earth-shattering-519970
By Udi Shaham
December 25, 2017 10:30
"When the recommendations are announced...it will cause an earthquake here," former police adviser Lior Horev said.
[IMAGE -] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting
at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem. (photo credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)
Police recommendations on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption cases are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, and they will be “earth-shattering,” according to Lior Chorev, a former external adviser to the Israel Police.
Speaking at a conference in Eilat last weekend, he said once the recommendations to indict Netanyahu are announced, the Knesset will call to hold early elections – possibly as soon as next May.
Chorev said the recommendations will bear “a lot of information that we didn’t know – and it will cause an earthquake here.”
“When they [the recommendations] will be announced, they will have information such as the specific charges and a complete list of the people involved,” he said. “Netanyahu is not running a campaign for his innocence but a campaign to keep the coalition intact. It is a political campaign, not a legal one, and so far he is succeeding. He is keeping his coalition in one piece despite very complicated investigations.”
However, Chorev said he maintains that “Netanyahu has crossed the Rubicon in which he became a burden for the Likud.”
In response to his remarks, the Israel Police denied the claims and said external advisers are not exposed to the content of investigations.
“In these sensitive subjects, the Israel Police is providing information to the public via official statements that are released in accordance with the attorney-general and the state’s attorney,” the police said. “We are asking the public to focus only on official statement... Not once was the police blamed for leaking information by ‘different entities,’ but what they said was completely false.”
Chorev resigned last month after an ongoing wave of criticism against him.
He then claimed that some officials were trying to sabotage and delegitimize the police and its actions.
“Unfortunately, they also used my job as an adviser to the police as a means to hassle it,” he said on November 19.
After a Channel 2 News report in October about the investigations into the prime minister, Netanyahu wrote on his Facebook page: “Since the political adviser Lior Chorev was appointed to be an external police adviser – costing millions in expense to the taxpayer and with no tender – the illegal leaks [from the investigations] became a tsunami, and the decision to avoid making recommendations disappeared.”
Before Chorev’s resignation, the Public Security Ministry’s attorney issued a report that said Chorev breached the terms of his contract because he used his Twitter account to criticize political figures.
In response, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said: “Tweeting is taking a stance – every adviser that takes part in political activity while being employed by police is harming the people’s trust in the police. This report speaks for itself. It found that Chorev breached his contract. I give my full support to the police chief and trust he will work to improve the people’s trust in the police.”
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Former-police-adviser-Netanyahu-indictments-will-be-earth-shattering-519970
How about that. Israel and America. Two at the top.
WATCH: President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu meet in Davos
Published on Jan 25, 2018 by PBS NewsHour
Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel Before Bilateral Meeting | Davos, Switzerland
World Economic Forum Congress Centre
Davos, Switzerland
January 25, 2018
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-prime-minister-netanyahu-israel-bilateral-meeting-davos-switzerland/ [official transcript]
Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel
January 25, 2018
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/readout-president-donald-j-trumps-meeting-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-israel-2/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPDEGiYpk-E [comments disabled] [official White House upload at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eop8rAZYrjw (with comments)]
.. second one down in, WATCH: President Trump, British Prime Minister May meet in Davos
https://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=138142680
Good friends with a great relationship.
Key question: Have Netanyahu's neckties always been so long? Seriously. LOL
"How Bibi’s Arrest Or Election Defeat Could Revive The Peace Process"
With Netanyahu's former aide turning state's evidence, PM is likely to face charges.
Will a police recommendation lead to his ouster? And when if the coalition rallies behind him?
Here's what we can expect
Haaretz Aug 07, 2017 6:18 PM
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a weekly cabinet meeting, July 23, 2017 Ohad Zwigenberg
* All the scandals involving Netanyahu, and where they stand
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/all-the-scandals-involving-netanyahu-and-where-they-stand-1.5440549
* Netanyahu's corruption isn't the problem, it's his ideology
https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-its-netanyahu-s-policies-not-him-1.5440693
* Netanyahu failed to learn from history and now faces a slow, painful political death
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/failing-to-learn-from-past-pm-faces-slow-political-death-1.5440420
So a states witness agreement was signed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus former bureau chief Ari Harow. How dramatic is this?
Ari Harow .. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.805220 .. contributes significant details to the Netanyahu .. http://www.haaretz.com/misc/tags/tags-1.476753 .. investigation. This is a dramatic development not only because of the information Harow gives, but because the agreement itself almost necessarily means that Netanyahu will be put on trial. Harow himself was facing a charge of bribery and as part of the states witness deal .. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.805196 .. he will only do community service. If the prosecution did not intend to try Netanyahu and use Harows testimony, it would not have been so lenient with the sentence.
And what now?
In the short term, Harow is getting Netanyahu into trouble but in the long term, he is buying Netanyahu time. Harows testimony is expected to extend the investigation because now a number of witnesses will have to be questioned. Netanyahu, who has not been questioned for five months, will also have to present his version of events in light of what Harow says.
At what point will Netanyahus political future hang in the balance?
The first hurdle will be a police recommendation to indict him. That will happen at the earliest after the High Holy Days, but under certain circumstances it could drag out .. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.805202 .. until the beginning of 2018. Even now it can be said the police are expected to determine that an evidentiary basis exists against Netanyahu in two cases, Case 1000 and Case 2000. (See below.)
Will the police recommendation lead to Netanyahus ousting?
A police recommendation to indict does not require an elected official to resign. But the harsher the recommendation, the more the political arena will exert pressure to oust Netanyahu. If the police recommend an indictment for bribery .. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.805474 , Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon will have to decide between resigning from the government and going to elections, or continuing to support Netanyahu despite the cloud hanging over him.
Is the police recommendation expected to include a bribery clause?
Benjamin Netanyahu and Ari Harow. Amos Biderman
In Case 1000 .. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.770910 , Netanyahu is suspected of receiving hundreds of thousands of shekels worth of benefits from businessman Arnon Milchan. These allegedly included a continuous supply of expensive cigars, Champagne and jewelry delivered by intermediaries and using code words. It is alleged that at the same time, Netanyahu was acting in Milchans interest in a deal to sell Channel 10 and in other media matters, as well as helping him get a visa by approaching the U.S. administration. The greater the suspicion that the relationship was mutual, the more the chances that the attorney general will bring a charge of bribery rather than the lesser charge of breach of trust.
What about Case 2000?
Case 2000 .. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.805244 .. is basically a bribery case. Netanyahu was recorded talking to the publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth, Arnon Mozes, about an alleged deal to benefit both parties: Mozes would give Netanyahu favorable coverage in Yedioth and the Ynet news site, and Netanyahu would act to curb competition from the free newspaper Israel Hayom through legislation or limiting its distribution.
How did Harows information move these cases ahead?
Harows testimony is under gag order. But generally it can be said that in Case 1000, Harow might be able to shed light on the alleged mutual ties between Netanyahu and Milchan. In Case 2000, the prosecution wants to show that Netanyahus claim – that he was just pretending and never really meant to close a deal with Mozes – is false. It is believed Harow was sent to Israel Hayom owner Sheldon Adelson .. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.805619 .. to check whether the deal could be made. Harows testimony about such a mission could strengthen the suspicion that Netanyahu was serious about it.
And what about the submarines affair?
Netanyahu is not a suspect in that case. His attorney David Shimron .. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/LIVE-1.753695/david-shimron .. did represent an agent of the German manufacturers, but Netanyahu would be suspected of conflict of interest and breach of trust only if testimony emerged that Netanyahu knew about Shimrons involvement. There is no known testimony to that effect. It was reported that Harow would be giving information about the submarines affair, but there is no indication that the information has to do with Netanyahus involvement.
What about the Bezeq affair?
The prime minister is not a suspect in this case, either. However, the main suspect is the director general of the Communications Ministry, Shlomo Filber, who was a personal Netanyahu appointee. Filber is alleged to have acted systematically to promote the interests of Bezeq, which is owned by a close associate of Netanyahus, Shaul Elovitch.
Netanyahu could also get into trouble because of a subplot in this affair. While acting as communications minister, Netanyahu submitted a false official statement in which he failed to divulge his friendship with Elovitch. The statement could lead to an investigation of Netanyahu on suspicion of concealing a conflict of interest, and a breach of trust.
Returning to the police recommendation, if Kahlon doesnt set off new elections and Netanyahu doesnt resign, what is his next hurdle?
Attorney General Avichai Mendelblits decision, pending a hearing, on whether to indict him. The attorney general is expected to make his decision public a few months after the police make their recommendation. In the Rishon Tours double-billing case against former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, it was two months between the police recommendation and the attorney generals decision. In the Holyland case against Olmert, it took seven months.
And if the attorney general decides to indict Netanyahu, pending a hearing, will Netanyahu have to resign?
By law, no. However, the attorney generals decision will be accompanied by a statement giving details of Netanyahus alleged acts. If the attorney general informs the public that there is evidence the prime minister took a bribe, the chances are greater that Kahlon or others will bolt the coalition, bringing on new elections.
And if the coalition rallies around Netanyahu?
Then the next stop is a final decision on an indictment, after a hearing. That could be the last stop. A scenario in which the political arena allows Netanyahu to remain prime minister while on trial for corruption is widely considered to be unlikely.
But if the coalition still doesnt oust him?
Then the High Court of Justice could intervene. At this point there will certainly be petitions against Netanyahus continuing in office. The law does not require him to resign, but the court has said that a minister who is indicted is immediately to be dismissed, so as not to compromise public trust. The petitioners will argue that if public trust is compromised by a minister on trial continuing in office, it will be compromised all the more if that minister is the prime minister. But Netanyahu can counter that the law regarding a prime minister is different because ousting him means new elections. He can also cite in his defense clause 23c of the Basic Law on the Government, which states that the law on dismissal of indicted ministers specifically does not apply to the prime minister.
Lets say the High Court rejects the petitions and allows him to continue in office?
Theoretically, Netanyahu can continue in office until he is convicted of a crime that carries moral turpitude, and, if he appeals, until his appeal is rejected by the highest court.
And in the case of a final conviction with moral turpitude, is the saga over?
Almost. In such a case, within a month, the Knesset has to discuss removing the prime minister. If after a month the Knesset has not removed him, he is automatically dismissed.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/how-long-can-netanyahu-continue-to-serve-as-pm-a-short-guide-1.5440663
--
Former police adviser: Netanyahu indictments will be 'earth-shattering'
> Police question Netanyahu for seventh time in corruption probe
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Interrogators-arrive-at-PMs-residence-to-question-Netanyahu-for-seventh-time-518156
> Should Netanyahu have to quit if police recommend to indict him?
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Former-police-adviser-Netanyahu-indictments-will-be-earth-shattering-519970
By Udi Shaham
December 25, 2017 10:30
"When the recommendations are announced...it will cause an earthquake here," former police adviser Lior Horev said.
[IMAGE -] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting
at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem. (photo credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)
Police recommendations on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption cases are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, and they will be “earth-shattering,” according to Lior Chorev, a former external adviser to the Israel Police.
Speaking at a conference in Eilat last weekend, he said once the recommendations to indict Netanyahu are announced, the Knesset will call to hold early elections – possibly as soon as next May.
Chorev said the recommendations will bear “a lot of information that we didn’t know – and it will cause an earthquake here.”
“When they [the recommendations] will be announced, they will have information such as the specific charges and a complete list of the people involved,” he said. “Netanyahu is not running a campaign for his innocence but a campaign to keep the coalition intact. It is a political campaign, not a legal one, and so far he is succeeding. He is keeping his coalition in one piece despite very complicated investigations.”
However, Chorev said he maintains that “Netanyahu has crossed the Rubicon in which he became a burden for the Likud.”
In response to his remarks, the Israel Police denied the claims and said external advisers are not exposed to the content of investigations.
“In these sensitive subjects, the Israel Police is providing information to the public via official statements that are released in accordance with the attorney-general and the state’s attorney,” the police said. “We are asking the public to focus only on official statement... Not once was the police blamed for leaking information by ‘different entities,’ but what they said was completely false.”
Chorev resigned last month after an ongoing wave of criticism against him.
He then claimed that some officials were trying to sabotage and delegitimize the police and its actions.
“Unfortunately, they also used my job as an adviser to the police as a means to hassle it,” he said on November 19.
After a Channel 2 News report in October about the investigations into the prime minister, Netanyahu wrote on his Facebook page: “Since the political adviser Lior Chorev was appointed to be an external police adviser – costing millions in expense to the taxpayer and with no tender – the illegal leaks [from the investigations] became a tsunami, and the decision to avoid making recommendations disappeared.”
Before Chorev’s resignation, the Public Security Ministry’s attorney issued a report that said Chorev breached the terms of his contract because he used his Twitter account to criticize political figures.
In response, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said: “Tweeting is taking a stance – every adviser that takes part in political activity while being employed by police is harming the people’s trust in the police. This report speaks for itself. It found that Chorev breached his contract. I give my full support to the police chief and trust he will work to improve the people’s trust in the police.”
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Former-police-adviser-Netanyahu-indictments-will-be-earth-shattering-519970
How about that. Israel and America. Two at the top.
WATCH: President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu meet in Davos
Published on Jan 25, 2018 by PBS NewsHour
Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel Before Bilateral Meeting | Davos, Switzerland
World Economic Forum Congress Centre
Davos, Switzerland
January 25, 2018
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-prime-minister-netanyahu-israel-bilateral-meeting-davos-switzerland/ [official transcript]
Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel
January 25, 2018
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/readout-president-donald-j-trumps-meeting-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-israel-2/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPDEGiYpk-E [comments disabled] [official White House upload at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eop8rAZYrjw (with comments)]
.. second one down in, WATCH: President Trump, British Prime Minister May meet in Davos
https://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=138142680
Good friends with a great relationship.
Key question: Have Netanyahu's neckties always been so long? Seriously. LOL
It was Plato who said, “He, O men, is the wisest, who like Socrates, knows that his wisdom is in truth worth nothing”
Join the InvestorsHub Community
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
