Netanyahu’s troubles began last January when he nominated as attorney general a little-known lawyer named Roni Bar On, who lacked qualifications. The public outcry was deafening, and Bar On quickly withdrew. But then Israeli public television reported that Bar On had been foisted on Netanyahu by his coalition partner, Ariyeh Deri, whose religious party, Shas, holds the balance of power in Parliament. Deri reportedly planned to have Bar On help him plea-bargain his way out of a trial on fraud and bribery charges. All involved denied the report, and Netanyahu called for a probe.
The police recommended extortion charges against Deri and said charges of fraud and breach of trust should be brought against Netanyahu and two of his allies. The decision on whether to indict anyone rested with the current attorney general and his chief prosecutor, both civil servants. Even if Netanyahu escaped formal charges, as many Israelis expected, the scandal could threaten his government. But despite the bad smell, his Likud bloc and its coalition partners may not want to risk losing power by forcing him out. And the opposition Labor Party has yet to resolve its own leadership battle. So far, all Netanyahu had lost was the ability to make his government work.
