09Mar 2023 by Charles E. Price
Israeli ministers approve bill on $270,000 gift to Netanyahu

Israeli ministers approve bill on $270,000 gift to Netanyahu

LEGAL
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Cabinet ministers on Sunday advanced a bill that would allow Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to keep a $270,000 donation he received from a relative to pay for his legal bills as he fights corruption charges.The bill is part of a proposed overhaul of Israel's legal system by Netanyahu's new government. The plan has drawn fierce protests for over two months in Israel, the largest seen in years. Netanyahu has been on trial for charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes for almost three years. He denies wrongdoing and says the accusations are part of a "witch hunt" orchestrated by a biased media, law enforcement and justice system. Last year, Israel's high court ordered Netanyahu to pay back the funds given by a late cousin…
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12Feb 2023 by Charles E. Price
Israel’s Attorney General tells Netanyahu to steer clear of judicial overhaul

Israel’s Attorney General tells Netanyahu to steer clear of judicial overhaul

ATTORNEY
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Jerusalem, Israel | xinhua | Israel's Attorney General has told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a letter made public Thursday that he must refrain from involvement in the government's proposed judicial reforms due to a possible conflict of interest with his ongoing corruption trial. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara states in the letter that Netanyahu, as prime minister, “must avoid involvement in initiatives related to the legal system.” She stressed that Netanyahu must also not give "direct or indirect" instructions to others to advance the plan, including "informal consultations." The Attorney General expressed concern that there is “a reasonable risk” that Netanyahu's involvement would put him in a conflict of interest in his ongoing criminal trial over charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu is…
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11Feb 2023 by Charles E. Price
Israel’s attorney general says Netanyahu cannot be involved in a legal overhaul

Israel’s attorney general says Netanyahu cannot be involved in a legal overhaul

ATTORNEY
Israel's attorney general has told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he must avoid being involved in an overhaul to the country's judicial system proposed by his government, saying in a letter made public Thursday that he risks a conflict of interest in his ongoing corruption trial.Netanyahu's new far-right government has made changing the legal system a centerpiece of its legislative agenda and despite mounting public criticism, has charged ahead with steps to weaken the Supreme Court and grants politicians less judicial oversight in their policymaking. For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Netanyahu is on trial for fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of scandals involving influential media moguls and wealthy associates. He denies wrongdoing. “You must avoid being part of…
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10Feb 2023 by Charles E. Price
Israel’s attorney-general tells Netanyahu to stay out of push for judicial changes

Israel’s attorney-general tells Netanyahu to stay out of push for judicial changes

ATTORNEY
By Maayan LubellJERUSALEM (Reuters) -Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must stay out of his cabinet's push to overhaul the judicial system, a plan that could give the government "unlimited power", Israel's attorney-general said on Thursday, adding friction to a bitter row over the proposals.In an official legal advisory to Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Gali Baharav-Miara said the planned changes would harm the country's democratic checks and balances, and risked giving the government unbridled power that would be "a sure recipe for harming human rights and clean governance".The plans to strengthen political control over appointments of judges, including the Supreme Court, while weakening that body's ability to overturn legislation or rule against the government, have brought tens of thousands of Israelis onto the streets in nationwide protests.Critics say the proposed changes will…
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04Feb 2023 by Charles E. Price
Israel’s attorney general says Netanyahu cannot be involved in a judicial system overhaul

Israel’s attorney general says Netanyahu cannot be involved in a judicial system overhaul

ATTORNEY
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel's attorney general has told Benjamin Netanyahu that he must not be involved in an overhaul to the country's judicial system proposed by his government because it would amount to a conflict of interest over the prime minister's corruption trial, according to a letter made public Thursday. Netanyahu's new far-right government has made changing the legal system a centerpiece of its legislative agenda and despite mounting public criticism, has charged ahead with steps to weaken the Supreme Court and grants politicians less judicial oversight in their policymaking. READ MORE: Blinken appeals for calm in Israel-Palestine conflict during trip to Middle East Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara's office also released her legal opinion concerning the proposed changes, and said they would deal “a serious blow to the…
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