Deflecting PM’s criticism, state prosecutor says decision to indict PM devoid of political considerations

Deflecting criticism made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his supporters, State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan says the attorney general’s decision to indict the premier in a series of corruption investigations was not made out of political considerations.

“Criticism came from two different and contradictory directions,” says in an address at Haifa University. “On the one hand, it was claimed that the attorney general took it easy on the prime minister; and on the other hand, it’s been said that he was too harsh with him.”

“There were also various arguments made saying that the attorney general and the State Prosecutor’s Office were acting on political grounds. There is no basis to these claims.”

“The decisions were made only on the basis of material considerations based on evidence. The question of the suspect’s political identity does not interest us,” Nitzan says.