After entering the record books last year as Israel's longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu will once again make history when he becomes the country's first sitting leader to go on trial.
Surrounded by security guards, Netanyahu is set to march into Jerusalem's district court for arraignment on a series of corruption charges on Sunday. The stunning scene will push Israel into uncharted political and legal territory, launching a process that could ultimately end the career of a leader who has been undefeatable at the ballot box for over a decade.
"It's the classic deep state argument," said Gayil Talshir, a political scientist at Israel's Hebrew University. Netanyahu claims "an unelected movement is trying to remove him from power just because he is a representative of the right," she said. Among his favourite targets have been a former police chief and the current attorney general -- both Netanyahu appointees -- and the country's Supreme Court. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit recently filed a complaint to police over anonymous threats sent to his mobile phone.
Netanyahu has done his best to avoid this moment. During a three-year investigation, which was slowed by Netanyahu's trips abroad and occasional security crises, he repeatedly claimed that investigators would "find nothing because there is nothing." But in a stunning turnaround, Gantz, citing fears of a fourth expensive election and the coronavirus pandemic, agreed to shelve the legislation and instead form a power-sharing government with Netanyahu.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Brooklyn Park Paints Circles 6 Feet Apart To Encourage Social DistancingDomino Park is not alone in coming up with creative safety measures as public places begin to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more »
Coronavirus vaccine trial shows promising results ahead of Canadian testsThe findings land just before researchers at Dalhousie University test the same vaccine in Halifax in the upcoming weeks.
Read more »
Member of Surrey Six, Jamie Bacon, faces new trial after appeal allowed by courtBacon was charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to murder.
Read more »
Raptors Uprising GC downs Hawks Talon GC for sixth straight win - Sportsnet.caThe Raptors (6-0) survived a slow start to take the first game of the best-of-three series 76-68. They then held off the Hawks (3-2) to sweep the series with a 79-71 victory.
Read more »
Texas court holds first U.S. jury trial via videoconferencingThe coronavirus pandemic has crippled courts nationwide, putting many cases on indefinite hold and leaving judges trying to manage some hearings via videoconferencing.
Read more »