Israel: Netanyahu indicted in corruption charges

By Abdel Raouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been officially indicted after the legal advisor to the Israeli government, Avichai Mandelblit, filed Tuesday an indictment against him to the Israeli Central Court in Jerusalem.

The Israeli channel 12 said Mandelblit had filed an indictment against Netanyahu, on charges of corruption.

This comes after Netanyahu announced earlier that he withdrew his request for parliamentary immunity in three corruption cases.

“A few minutes ago, I announced to the speaker of the Knesset that I was withdrawing the request for immunity and I will disprove the claims made against me,” Netanyahu wrote on his Facebook page.

The Israeli prime minister has been facing charges which include bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Netanyahu also said he had informed Yuli Edelstein, the Knesset (Israeli parliament) speaker, of his decision on Tuesday morning, adding: “I will not let my political opponents use this matter to interfere with the historical move I am leading.”

Netanyahu's indictment comes hours before Trump's announcement for the so-called Deal of the Century.

Last week, the White House announced that Trump will meet Tuesday with Netanyahu and his election rival Benny Gantz, who heads the centrist Blue and White Party. They will discuss the prospects of his controversial Middle East peace deal.

* Writing by Ali Abo Rezeg from Ankara.