Attorney general met with Netanyahu defense team to explore possible deal

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara met with members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s defense team earlier this week to explore the possibility of an arbitration process toward a plea bargain, according to several simultaneous reports in Hebrew-language media.

The meeting came after a judge in Netanyahu’s criminal trials suggested the sides try non-binding mediation to reach an agreement on a plea deal. Netanyahu’s attorneys sought to convince Baharav-Miara to back such a process, which would accelerate the years-long trial, according to the reports.

Baharav-Miara is needed to sign off for talks to proceed, but has yet to weigh in on the matter, Ynet reports. According to Channel 12,  prosecutors said Baharav-Miara was not interested.

Neither side confirms the meeting.

Last week, the Justice Ministry dismissed a TV report that said Baharav-Miara was not interested in non-binding mediation, calling it “speculation” and saying that no decision has been reached on the matter.

Netanyahu is facing charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three cases currently being tried.