Netanyahu ‘will not agree’ to plea bargain

Israeli opposition leader and former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that he has not agreed to acknowledge “moral turpitude” as part of a potential plea bargain that would end his corruption trial, local media have reported. He added that he does not intend to leave politics.

“In recent days, there were mistaken claims made in the media on things that I allegedly agreed to, such as the claim that I agreed to moral turpitude,” Netanyahu explained in a video statement. “That is simply not correct. I will continue to lead the Likud and the national camp in order to lead Israel, on your behalf.”

Netanyahu claimed that he is being mistreated by law enforcement officials and the justice system. “The entire public can see what is happening in the courthouse and how the investigation against me was handled.”

Reports have emerged in recent days that talks over a plea bargain with Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit have collapsed.

READ: Netanyahu’s deal gives corruption legal legitimacy