Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu withdrew his request for immunity before the country’s attorney general filed a formal indictment against him on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
Netanyahu, the first sitting Israeli prime minister ever indicted on corruption charges, was expected to be stripped of his immunity by the Israeli parliament on Tuesday, according to reports.
He also realized his immunity request was alienating voters ahead of the March 2 election, the country’s third election in a year after the earlier elections, in April and September, failed to give Netanyahu or his opponent Benny Gantz a majority to form a viable government.
Both Netanyahu and Gantz are in Washington this week to meet with President Trump, who is unveiling his long-awaited Middle East peace plan.
Netanyahu is accused of accepting gifts from wealthy businessmen and exchanging favors for more positive press coverage. The trial is expected to begin within weeks, though Netanyahu’s lawyers will seek to postpone it until after the elections.
