BICOM

Israel’s Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit yesterday rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request to postpone his pre-indictment hearing, scheduled for 2 October.

The hearing is an opportunity for Netanyahu’s lawyers to challenge evidence in his criminal case before the Attorney General makes a final decision on whether or not to indict the Prime Minister for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three corruption cases. Netanyahu asked for the hearing to be postponed because elections are now taking place on 17 September. The Attorney General originally scheduled the hearing for 10 July, but granted Netanyahu a three-month extension. He was not expected to grant a further extension.

Gil Limon, an advisor to the Attorney General, informed Netanyahu’s lawyers in writing that: “The dissolution of the Knesset and the holding of new elections can’t in and of themselves constitute a consideration that justifies delaying the hearing date in the investigations concerning the Prime Minister”.

Netanyahu’s spokesperson said: “The new elections, which were forced on us in an unprecedented manner, is an exceptional event and therefore also demands exceptional treatment from the law enforcement agencies with regard to the date for the hearing. It is unthinkable that an unexplained mad rush should overcome the need to learn the truth”.

The Attorney General announced his decision to indict Netanyahu in February, pending a hearing. Initially, the Attorney General agreed that the case files not be handed over prior to the 9 April election in order to prevent evidence leaking to the media and influencing the vote. But after the election, the Prime Minister’s lawyers refused to collect the evidence for a month, and were accused of engaging in delaying tactics.

Last night, Channel 12 News reported details from transcripts in Case 1000 – the case in which Netanyahu and his wife are accused of accepting expensive gifts from Arnon Milchan. According to the transcripts, Milchan told police investigators he felt “disgusted” by Netanyahu and his wife Sara’s requests for gifts, when he was asked by them to buy coats. According to Milchan’s account, the Netanyahu’s would use code words when requesting gifts, such as leaves (cigars) and pinks (champagne).

Netanyahu’s lawyers have until 10 June to inform the Attorney General whether or not they will attend the October hearing. If they refuse the Attorney General could expedite his final decision whether or not to indict the Prime Minister.