Israeli attorney general says he can rule on Netanyahu indictment before election

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said his team was still examining the case materials and intended to make a decision as soon as possible. Netanyahu is facing possible charges in three graft cases. He denies any wrongdoing and has called the cases a witch-hunt. He is still the favorite to win the election but opinion polls show one of his toughest challengers, former general Benny Gantz, making gains. Mandelblit said he had informed Netanyahu’s lawyers “there is no impediment to making and publishing a decision, if there is any, to consider filing an indictment in the cases relating to the prime minister, or part of them, subject to a hearing, even before the election date.” Netanyahu has said he would not bow out of the race if Mandelbit announces his intention to accept police recommendations to indict him. Police say Netanyahu granted regulatory favors to leading telecommunications company Bezeq Telecom Israel in return for more positive coverage on a news website belonging to the firm’s owner. In a second case, police contend that Netanyahu received expensive gifts from rich friends. A third investigation focuses on suspicions that Netanyahu negotiated a deal with one newspaper for better coverage in return for promises to back legislation that would have limited the circulation of a rival.]]>