Iran Press/Middle East: Protestors chanted slogans and carried banners demanding resignation of the premier who is entangled in a corruption scandal.
Calls to Netanyahu's step-down have increased after he was indicted on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust on Thursday.
According to a survey published on Friday, 56% of Israelis think that Netanyahu should resign, a public demand he has rejected.
Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit has announced Netanyahu would be charged in three corruption cases, dubbed Cases 4000, 2000 and 1000. He is being charged with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in Case 4000, and with fraud and breach of trust in Case 1000 and Case 2000.
Case 4000
Case 4000 is considered the most serious and revolves around an alleged bribery deal between Netanyahu and businessman Shaul Elovich, who controlled the Bezeq telecommunications company and the Walla News site. According to the indictment, Netanyahu and Elovich engaged in a quid-pro-pro deal in which Netanyahu – as communication minister – led regulatory steps directly tied to Elovich's businesses and interests that yielded the tycoon some $500 million.
Case 2000
At the center of Case 2000 is a series of meetings between Netanyahu and the publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth daily newspaper, Arnon Mozes, in which they allegedly discussed a bribery deal. According to the indictment, the deal called for Netanyahu to try to limit the circulation of rival newspaper Israel Hayom, and in return, Mozes would give Netanyahu favorable coverage. In this case, Netanyahu is accused of fraud and breach of trust.
Case 1000
In Case 1000, Netanyahu is also accused of fraud and breach of trust over gifts he allegedly received from Hollywood Mogul Arnon Milchan and billionaire James Packer. According to the indictment, Netanyahu received cigars and champagne from the two over the course of several years. Netanyahu's family members, the indictment states, also demanded and received gifts from the businessmen, and Netanyahu was aware of this fact. Mendelblit writes in the indictment that Netanyahu put himself in a conflict of interests and used his public role to receive gifts.
Netanyahu's ability to lead a country mired in political crisis, after two inconclusive elections this year that failed to produce a government, is being questioned.
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