High Court postpones decision on whether Netanyahu can receive mandate to form government
The Israeli High Court has postponed its decision on whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be prevented from receiving the mandate to form a coalition following the next elections.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waves to the attenders at the Likud party’s assembly at Tel Aviv Conventions Center in Ganei HaTaarucha, which calls to prevent the establishment of a minority government by Benny Gantz, the leader of Blue and White party. Tel Aviv, Nov 17, 2019. Photo by Kobi Richter/TPS
The court on Tuesday had convened for a preliminary hearing on whether a politician facing criminal indictment can be the recipient of the mandate, handed out by the President.
It declared it will decide on the matter “at a later point.”
Awaiting the court’s decision, Prime Minister Netanyahu had taken to Twitter on Monday evening to tell followers that he did not believe the High Court would be “dragged into the political turmoil” and would not “fall for this trap,” adding that in a democracy it was the choice of the people to decide who will lead – something that “always has and always will be” that way, said Netanyahu.
The hearing had been brought on by a petition signed by 67 public figures, academics and business leaders, which was submitted by attorney Dafna Holtz-Lachner. The petition had attempted to prevent Netanyahu, who has been charged with three cases of corruption, from receiving the mandate to form the next government should he be successful in the March 2nd elections.
On Monday evening, thousands of protestors had gathered in Tel Aviv to demonstrate against what they deem a “judicial coup”. The organizers of the demonstration, which included Zionist organization Im Tirtzu said it was not “a matter of Right or Left,” but rather “a fight for the future of Israeli democracy.” They added that “Democracy is the rule of the people, not the rule of the judges. And we need to keep it that way.”
The news follows reports that Netanyahu is planning to ask Knesset for immunity. An expected move would see the current Prime Minister for immunity from criminal proceedings while he serves as a politician, agreeing to face the courts after his time in politics comes to an end.
Get on with the court case. Why is there so much procrastination in Israel?