Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is discussing the possibility of seeking an amnesty in cases where he is likely to be convicted in exchange for leaving the political scene, Israeli television reported.
Israeli Channel 13 reported on Friday evening that Netanyahu “has been studying for months in secret, the possibility of requesting an amnesty from the head of state, Reuven Rivlin, in exchange for leaving political life”.
Netanyahu spoke to at least one person on the issue (who didn’t specify who he was), but he was “pessimistic” about whether Rivlin would agree to the proposal, the channel said.
The channel pointed out that the Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, will reject this proposal decisively, because there are legal violations.
The channel 13 that the former opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog, may be the link between Netanyahu and President Rivlin, to offer a proposal to pardon the prime minister in exchange for leaving political life, but the latter denied involvement.
The channel noted that a spokesman for Netanyahu denied on Thursday, the latter’s intention to reach a plea bargain, on cases in which he may indict him.
Netanyahu fears that his inability to form a government under his presidency will prevent the enactment of immunity laws to prevent his trial in three corruption cases in which he faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, and is expected to begin his trial there after the first hearing scheduled for early October.
