Netanyahu battles to survive

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may eventually be proved right when he insists his indictment on corruption charges is the result of a leftist “witch-hunt” against him and his Likud party ahead of Israel’s April 9 elections. But instead of railing against what he sees as iniquities in the widely respected judicial system, he should try to persuade voters he is innocent of the charges brought by Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit, who once was one of the Prime Minister’s closest aides.

The 79-page indictment has created serious problems for Mr Netanyahu as he seeks a record fifth term. His right-wing coalition has been overtaken in the polls by the new centrist Blue and White party alliance led by former armed forces chief Benny Gantz.

This does not necessarily mean the end is nigh for Mr Netanyahu. He is a formidable leader who has helped Israel thrive against massive odds. He has forged far closer ties with Arab states than seemed possible. The hostility of Barack Obama has been replaced by close links to the Trump administration. Rarely among Israeli leaders, he has not taken the country into any major wars. And the economy is roaring ahead, with Israel a world leader in hi-tech advances.

But he faces an uphill battle unless he can answer charges of influence-peddling in return for gifts from rich patrons and interfering in regulatory decisions to help a telecommunications giant in return for favourable coverage on the Walla! news website. Mr Netanyahu is entitled to a presumption of innocence. But the precedent of former prime minister Ehud Olmert, who ended up in jail, looms large.