Likud MK proposes bill to protect PM from minor criminal investigations
David Amsalem says prime minister should not be investigated for minor offenses while in office, suggesting putting a hold on statute of limitations until the premier leaves office; says Netanyahu not aware of the proposal.
Likud MK David Amsalem is planning on proposing new legislation that would protect the prime minister from criminal investigations over minor offenses, he said Tuesday morning.
"My bill proposes that a criminal investigation will not be opened against the prime minister for offenses punishable by up to six months in prison," he said in a Facebook post.
Amsalem's proposal comes as police is examining information pertaining to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He went on to say that "since it is inappropriate for the prime minister not to answer for such offenses, the bill proposes that during his time in office, that time will not be counted towards the statute of limitations, and so he could be investigated for the offense after the end of his time in office."
Amsalem added that "the prime minister in Israel holds the most important position. He must make crucial decisions on issues that affect the entire public: Diplomatic, security, economic and social decisions. He can't be kept busy almost every day with investigations. I don't know of one other democratic nations in the world whose prime minister is so frequently 'starring' in investigations and affairs of all kinds.
"No one really believes that everywhere in the world, everyone are righteous, and only Israel has thieves. Over the past 30 years, there hasn't been one prime minister who hasn't been busy with investigations: Rabin and his wife's foreign currency, Barak and the NGOs, Sharon and the Greek island affair, Olmert and his travels, Netanyahu and the gifts he got and the recycling of bottles at the Prime Minister's residence, and more."
MK Itzik Shmuly (Zionist Union) criticized Amsalem's proposal, saying "This is a new level of disrespect to the public and undermining of the rule of law. The Likud has crossed another red line today on its way to turning Israel into a monarchy."
He added that "at this rate, Israel's citizens will aspire to be like Erdogan's Turkey."
MK Shelly Yachimovich (Zionist Union) echoed her colleague's criticism, saying "The proposal undermines the rule of law and the principle of equality before the law. It's hard to believe he has done this without consulting with Netanyahu, which makes this that much graver."
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Since the Knesset is currently on hiatus, Amsalem will have to wait for the beginning of its winter session to table the proposal.
