PM Netanyahu
Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg
Netanyahu says he's uninterested in PM immunity bill
Speaking during a Likud ministerial meeting, Netanyahu makes first public remarks on 'French Bill' designed to shield him from criminal investigation; 'I want to be clear. I'm not interested in any bill that relates to investigations against me or anyone else'; MK Amsalem scolds latest lawsuit against Sara Netanyahu as 'an utter disgrace.'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday morning he has no interest in any legislation proposals related to the ongoing corruption investigations being conducted against him.
Speaking for the first time about the controversial bill being spearheaded by Likud MKs which seeks to shield a sitting prime minister from criminal investigations, Netanyahu sought to make his position clear.
“Regarding the French Bill, I want to be clear: I am not interested in any bill that relates to the investigations now being conducted against me or currently being conducted that are not related to me,” Netanyahu said during a Likud ministerial meeting.
Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
While Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi) said that the French Bill would not be on the agenda in the Ministerial Committee, Likud MK David Amsalem, who is the main impetus behind the bill, denied any knowledge of any agreements while warning that the coalition would be dismantled if certain demands were not met.
“I am not familiar with any agreement regarding the French Bill. There was an understanding with Shaked. If they don’t respect us, there won’t be a coalition,” Amsalem said.
On Saturday it was announced that discussions at the Ministerial Committee for Legislation on bill proposals by the coalition will be postponed indefinitely over the ongoing dispute between the Likud and Bayit Yehudi parties over the contentious legislation.
Netanyahu and Amsalem (Photo: MK Amsalem's Facebook page)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister Yariv Levin and Colaition Chair David Bitan himself decided Wednesday to push the vote on the bill by a month in the wake of objections to the legislation from coalition partners Kulanu and Bayit Yehudi.
MK Amsalem also addressed in an interview with Ynet the latest lawsuit being filed against the prime minister’s wife, Sara Netanyahu, for allegedly mistreating an employee at the Prime Minister’s Residence.
“Utter disgrace,” Amsalem stated dismissively. “For ten days of work this lady is filing for NIS 225,000 shekels. Let’s say Mrs. Netanyahu is a little bit of a difficult employer, why does that interest anybody?”
