Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday reiterated that he has no intention of stepping down, even if he faces a criminal indictment.
By law, civil servants face a pre-indictment hearing before the attorney general, who then makes the final decision on whether to press criminal charges in their case. Netanyahu said being summoned to such a hearing will not change his mind on the issue.
Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit is currently reviewing police recommendations to file corruption charges against the prime minister in three graft investigations.
Case 1,000 centers on gifts Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, allegedly received from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian tycoon James Packer.
Case 2,000 focuses on an alleged deal between Netanyahu and Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes in which Yedioth would soften its aggressive anti-Netanyahu tone in return for the prime minister acting to curtail Yedioth rival Israel Hayom's activities to benefit Yedioth financially.
Case 4,000 revolves around allegations of a deal in which Shaul Elovitch, the controlling shareholder of Israeli telecom corporation Bezeq, ensured positive coverage for Netanyahu in the Bezeq-owned Walla news website in exchange for the prime minister promoting government regulations worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the company.
Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing.
Asked at a news conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, whether he would bow out of the election race should an indictment come down in the coming weeks, Netanyahu said, "I don't intend to resign."
"According to the law, the prime minister does not have to resign during the hearing process. Imagine what would happen if a prime minister is ousted before the hearing is finished, and then after the hearing, they decide to close the case. It's absurd. It's a terrible blow to democracy.
"Israel is a country predicated on the rule of law and in a democracy, you decide who governs in an election," he said.
The indictment decision had been expected within weeks, but some analysts say the attorney general could opt to delay the move out of concern he might influence the outcome of the election.
The Justice Ministry has promised to continue its work "independent of political events."
Opposition parties leveled harsh criticism at Netanyahu over his statement.
"Netanyahu's statement that he can serve as prime minister even if he faces a criminal indictment proves he is morally bankrupt and proves he is out of control. The only thing that concerns him is escaping criminal charges – not the good of this country," Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid said.
A statement by Zionist Union said, "Netanyahu, who is suspected of bribery, continues his habit of intimidating those who will decide his legal fate. After 10 years of a corrupt government, the public has had enough and it wants a change."
Zionist Union MK Shelly Yachimovich lambasted Netanyahu, saying, "His insolent remarks defy the authority of all branches of the rule of law and endanger democracy.
"The threats against the attorney general, warning him to defer his decision until after the elections, are a test of integrity for all political parties. Those who do not explicitly declare, right now, that they will not join a man embroiled in such advanced criminal proceedings, essentially endorse corruption," she said.
