Tel Aviv | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was notified on Thursday (Friday AEDT) that the Attorney-General plans to put him on trial for bribery and fraud, following a two-year corruption investigation that has galvanised a serious election challenge and could speed the end of his political career.

The draft indictment, while expected, sent tremors through Israel's political landscape, coming just 40 days before what is shaping up to be a closely fought election. It is the first time a sitting Israeli leader has come so near to criminal charges.

Bloomberg