BICOM

Israel’s Attorney General has said he will release evidence related to Benjamin Netanyahu’s criminal charges after the election on 9 April and a hearing could take place by 10 July.

A statement from the Justice Ministry yesterday said the Attorney General had accepted a request by the Prime Minister’s legal team to delay handing over the evidence until the day after the elections, on 10 April, due to concerns that the material wold be leaked to the media.

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said: “Given the set of circumstances, and while noting that the purpose of providing the investigative material is to allow the suspects to prepare for a hearing that will be held, and given the proximity to the date of the election, in the balance between the various interests, there are grounds to accede to that request.”

The Attorney General announced on 28 February that he intended to indict Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust, pending a hearing.

Mandelblit also said yesterday that the pre-indictment hearing will take place no later than three months after the materials are handed over, meaning 10 July. But a Channel 13 News report on Monday evening reported that Netanyahu’s lawyers are likely to be granted more time to prepare for a hearing, which could be delayed until September.

If the Prime Minister is re-elected, his hearing will most likely be postponed until the end of the summer, to allow time to form a new government and give Netanyahu enough time to prepare adequately for the hearing.

Officials have told Yediot Ahronoth that the timing means Netanyahu will find it harder to form a coalition if he wins the elections. “The price won’t be a normal partnership in the coalition, if Netanyahu is the one who forms it. An additional and important component is also going to be on the table — personal fealty to Netanyahu on account of his legal issues,” the officials say.

Kulanu Chairman Moshe Kahlon and the New Right leaders, Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked, have said that they would reconsider their positions after a final decision has been made by the Attorney General whether or not to indict Netanyahu.

A briefing published by BICOM sets out the detail of the legal and political process once the Attorney General has announced his decision. Click here to read the full briefing.