Image Credits: Reuters
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pleaded not guilty in a Jerusalem court on Monday for indictment over last year's corruption charges. Meanwhile, months-long protests continue demanding Netanyahu to resign over the charges and criticizing his government's response to the pandemic.
The charges against Netanyahu are divided into three separate cases accusing of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Allegations against Netanyahu includes paid news handling in Yediot Aharonot newspaper, receiving $213,000 worth gifts and negotiating with Shaul Elovitch for positive news coverage in exchange of policy favours to Bezeq, an Israeli telecommunications company. However, the 71-year-old has denied the allegations.
The Israeli law does not require a prime minister to resign when charged with criminal offenses unless convicted while Cabinet ministers are required to quit when trialed. He has been Israel's prime minister since 2009 and is the first prime minister trialed for corruption while in ruling.
As elections draw near, Netanyahu's expectation to serve another ruling period stands on debate as protestors flooded the streets.