Knesset legal adviser Eyal Yinon on Sunday ruled that Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein does not have the power to block the formation of a parliamentary committee to debate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for immunity.
The legal opinion is a major blow for the embattled Israeli leader, who faces multiple corruption charges stemming from three police investigations.
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"At a time like this, convening the Knesset Committee would be a grave mistake," Edelstein warned at a press conference held in Jerusalem.
"It is wrong that such an important judicial-like procedure will turn to improper election propaganda. We all know that in this [election] period the Committee will turn into a jungle that will debase the honor of the legislative body," Edelstein continued.
"With no relation to the identity of the person requesting immunity – he does deserve a fair procedure, the Knesset deserves a fair procedure and the citizens of Israel deserve a fair procedure."
But Edelstein conceded that he will not hasten nor block the deliberations, noting that even though he strongly disagrees with the decision of Knesset legal adviser Eyal Yinon to advance the formation of the Knesset Committee, "using derogatory expressions against him are forbidden and I ask of anyone doing so to stop immediately."
The Likud party had attempted to prevent Yinon from handing down the decision before the High Court on Sunday rejected their petition.
Netanyahu is said to had hoped for a delay until Israel's March 2 general election, effectively postponing the judicial process in hopes of securing immunity from prosecution.
But Sunday's decision will likely lead to the formation of the Knesset House Committee, where experts say lawmakers will likely reject Netanyahu's bid for protection against prosecution.
If the Knesset committee rejects his immunity request in the coming weeks, Netanyahu may become the first sitting prime minister in history to go into Election Day while on trial.
Netanyahu, who faces three indictments including bribery, fraud and breach of public trust, denies any wrongdoing.
This article was originally published by i24NEWS
