Israel’s Knesset speaker, Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, announced on Sunday that the plenum will vote next week on a panel to consider Netanyahu's request for parliamentary immunity, Trend reports citing Sputnik.
“Even though I disagree with the position of the Knesset legal adviser, I believe that, in order to maintain trust in the institution of Knesset speaker by all the factions, it is important to accept it,” Edelstein said in a statement, cited by the paper, explaining his decision.
Edelstein referred to an opinion issued by the parliament’s legal adviser, Eyal Yinon, who said earlier, following Netanyahu’s request, that a House Committee in charge of deliberating the request, can be convened regardless of the Knesset being in recess ahead of the country’s 2 March legislative election.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested parliamentary immunity on 1 January after multiple investigations on charges related to corruption, bribery and fraud kicked off. Netanyahu complained that the charges were politically motivated and aimed at removing him from the office.