ARTICLE AD BOX
At this point, Netanyahu has not sought private legal representation.
By BINI ASHKENAZI, AVRAHAM BLOCH DECEMBER 1, 2024 12:28 Updated: DECEMBER 1, 2024 12:55Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara is expected to present her position to Israel's High Court on Sunday evening regarding whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to be deemed unable to serve as PM during his testimony.
At this point, Netanyahu has not sought private legal representation.
If the two do not reach a mutual agreement on the matter, the prime minister is expected to request separate representation to present his position.
It is highly likely that, as part of preparing the response to the petition, the attorney general will ask the judges for an extension to submit her response. The attorneys who filed the petition are expected to oppose this request.
Options being considered
Netanyahu's office is examining the options available to him. Among them is the possibility that Netanyahu will temporarily step aside for a limited period during the hours of his testimony to allow him to focus solely on the testimony. During this time, Justice Minister Yariv Levin would serve as acting prime minister.
The government opposes Netanyahu stepping aside for the entire duration of his testimony. If his testimony extends for more than 100 days in total, the government would fall, and the Knesset would head to elections.
The only option currently being positively considered is for Netanyahu to step aside anew for a few hours each day of testimony—an approach that would not endanger the continuation of the government.