Pod Save America Hosts Call on Democrats to Cut All Israel Military Aid, No Longer Accept AIPAC Funding
Jews, Israelis Targeted in Austria Amid Surge in Antisemitic Incidents; Local Jewish Community Calls for Action
‘All of Our Strength’: Over 1,000 Pro-Israel Activists Gather in DC for Solidarity Conference
‘Devastated’: Wesley LePatner, Killed in Manhattan Mass Shooting, Was a Jewish Communal, Philanthropic Leader
Sen. Angus King Vows to No Longer Vote for Israel Military Aid Until Gaza Conditions Improve
Europe Won’t Pressure Israel to ‘Commit Suicide’ Amid Gaza Backlash, Palestinian State Push, Says Israeli FM
Israel’s National Soccer Coach Attacked in Athens Before Soccer Fans Chant ‘F–K Israel, Free Palestine’ at Match
New York Judge Sentences Neo-Nazi to 5 Years for Livestreaming Bomb Threats Against Jewish Hospitals
US Pressures Lebanon to Issue Cabinet Decision to Disarm Hezbollah Before Talks Continue
UK Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Meets Conditions, Starmer Says
Edelstein: Knesset to Debate Netanyahu Immunity Next Week
Error: Contact form not found.
by JNS.org
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein. Photo: Knesset Spokesman’s Office.
JNS.org – Israeli Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein announced on Sunday that the Knesset plenum will debate next week Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request for immunity from prosecution in the three criminal cases facing him.
With Jerusalem hosting more than 40 world leaders this week for the 5th World Holocaust Forum, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, and with International Holocaust Remembrance Day falling on Jan. 27, the earliest a vote can be held is next Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Netanyahu’s aides were reportedly angered by the announcement, saying that Edelstein “fell into the trap laid by the left” which is using the Knesset to “neutralize Netanyahu.”
Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz welcomed the decision, tweeting on Sunday night, “Netanyahu requested a debate on immunity—Netanyahu will get [a debate]. We’ll prevent an extremist immunity coalition from continuing to drag down Israel solely for the personal interests of Netanyahu.”
Edelstein’s announcement comes after last week’s Knesset vote to establish a House Committee to debate the immunity issue.
The vote constitutes a potential setback for the prime minister, as the committee’s ruling will likely be delivered before Israel’s March 2 elections. Should Netanyahu’s immunity request be denied, his trial could begin immediately. Alternately, if it is approved, the immunity granted would last only for the term of the Knesset that approved it, namely until the March 2 election, at which point Netanyahu would have to apply again to renew it.
