Bill to Limit Investigations of PM Pushed Off

Jerusalem, 25 October, 2017 (TPS) -- A controversial measure to block corruption investigations of a sitting prime minister will be shelved for a month in order to give coalition partners a chance to discuss the bill and weigh positions on the measure.

The delay was forced by the Kulanu and Jewish Home parties, both of whom have expressed reservations about the measure and said that “substantive concerns” have arisen during their party deliberations on the bill. Jewish Home faction leader Shuli Moalem-Refaeli cited a clause of the coalition agreement signed with the Likud Party requiring the agreement of all coalition partners for new legislation to be tabled, and for the coalition to vote against legislation that is advanced in violation of that clause.

MK Dudi Amsallem (Likud), the author of the bill, says the measure would not affect ongoing investigations of Prime Minister Netanyahu because it would only take effect beginning with the 21st Knesset. But Amsallem says the move is necessary because of what he has called a “frenzy” of investigations surrounding consecutive prime ministers that is unique to Israel and which makes it impossible to govern. Opponents of the measure fear it could be applied retroactively to derail investigations into allegations of impropriety surrounding Netanyahu’s relationships with wealthy businesspeople and with Yedioth Aharonoth publisher Noni Moses, and would create an unacceptably low standard for behavior amongst elected officials. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said Tuesday that the law would make the prime minister’s office a “city of refuge” for white-collar criminals.