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The Jerusalem Post

A-G: No reason to declare Netanyahu unable to serve, his testimony starts next week

 
 Illustrative photo of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Attorney General Gali Baharav Miara in front of the Knesset building. (photo credit: TASOS KATOPODIS/REUTERS/MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST, YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)
Illustrative photo of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Attorney General Gali Baharav Miara in front of the Knesset building.
(photo credit: TASOS KATOPODIS/REUTERS/MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST, YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

At this point, Netanyahu has not sought private legal representation.

Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara said on Sunday evening that there is no legal cause to declare Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unfit to serve as prime minister as his testimony for his criminal trials is set to begin next week.

The Prime Minister’s Office is examining the options available to him. Among them is the possibility that Netanyahu will temporarily step aside for a limited period during the hours of his testimony to allow him to focus solely on the testimony. Justice Minister Yariv Levin would serve as acting prime minister during this time.

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a state memorial ceremony for victims of terror, at Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, May 13, 2024. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a state memorial ceremony for victims of terror, at Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, May 13, 2024. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Government opposes Netanyahu's resignation

The government’s position is that it opposes Netanyahu stepping aside for the entire duration of his testimony. If his testimony extends for more than 100 days in total, the coalition would fall, and Israel would head to elections.

The only option currently being positively considered is for Netanyahu to step aside anew for a few hours each day of testimony – an approach that would not endanger the continuation of the government.

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