After months of anticipation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted on Thursday for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Though this will add another element to the already chaotic political climate in Israel that has failed to produce a government after two elections, it also creates the opening for an end to the political deadlock.
The most explosive charge in the Netanyahu indictment centers around the allegation that Netanyahu gave an Israeli telecommunications magnate lucrative regulatory benefits in exchange for positive news coverage for the prime minister and his wife.
Israel has had two elections this year and yet has been unable to form a government. The looming indictment has been a major reason why. Ever since February, when Israel’s attorney general announced his intention to indict Netanyahu, Israeli politics has been dominated by uncertainty over what the final indictment could look like, particularly whether it would include the more serious bribery charges.
Center-left Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz doesn’t want to form a unity government under an indicted prime minister. And yet, Netanyahu has been reluctant to cede power because he’s desperate to form a government that could pass a law granting him immunity.
After months of trying, Netanyahu and Gantz tried and failed to create a majority coalition, and so, Israel is now in a 21-day period in which any member of the parliament, or Knesset, who can command a 61-vote majority can become prime minister. If not, there will have to be a third election.
Now that the indictment is out, influential actors in Israeli politics no longer have to base decisions on speculation about what it may or may not include. Instead, they can look at the actual indictment.
Hours before the indictment was announced, Gideon Sa’ar, the second-ranking member of Netanyahu’s Likud, already announced a bid to oust Netanyahu, arguing that he would be able to form a government, which Netanyahu would be unable to do even after a third election.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, has been written off for dead many times before. He has a loyal following among his base, and not unlike President Trump, has framed his plight as one of the left-wing media trying to take him down. He’s also filled the ranks of Likud with lawmakers loyal to him.
But the indictment — and the prospect of going through a third election and still not being able to form a government — should strengthen Sa’ar’s hand and embolden others within the party to finally break with Bibi.
