Bill could prevent Netanyahu from forming government

The bill, proposed by Zionist Union MK Revital Swid, would not permit a Knesset member who is being investigated by police to form a government.

By GIL HOFFMAN
Updated: JULY 1, 2018 04:00
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu stand next to the dedication plaque of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, after the dedication ceremony of the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, May 14, 2018. (photo credit: ILLUSTRATIVE/RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu stand next to the dedication plaque of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, after the dedication ceremony of the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, May 14, 2018.
(photo credit: ILLUSTRATIVE/RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)
The Ministerial Committee on Legislation will vote Sunday on a bill that, if passed, might not permit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next governing coalition.
The bill, proposed by Zionist Union MK Revital Swid, would ban a Knesset member under police investigation from forming a government.
Instead, even if the MK led the party’s list in the election, someone else from his party would have to form the government and temporarily serve as prime minister.
Swid submitted the bill in May. She said she believes that since then, it might have gained support due to indications from Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit that the next election could be held around the same time as he decides if to indict Netanyahu.
In mid-June, The Jerusalem Post exclusively reported that it had learned that Mandelblit will likely announce an intent to indict Netanyahu in Case 1000 (alleged illegal gifts) and Case 4000 (Bezeq-Walla), but not until the end of 2018 or the beginning of 2019. The Post reported that Case 2000 (Yediot Aharonot-Israel Hayom) was more up in the air.
Swid said she read the Post article, and based on Mandelblit’s testimony to the Knesset Law and Constitution Committee on Wednesday, her bill is now more important than ever.
“In light of the attorney-general indicating that the investigations will continue despite the process of elections, it is looking like the next election will be held amid legal moves against the prime minister,” Swid said. “The bill would ensure that if a candidate for prime minister is being investigated, someone else from his party could form a government and run it until his legal situation has been decided.”
According to the bill, the person who forms the government could either be suggested by the candidate under investigation or by the president.