Herzog: Democracy will survive the PM probes

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog says the investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu marks “difficult days for Israeli democracy.”

“It is difficult now but it may also be cleansing,” he tells his weekly Zionist Union faction meeting. “But I’m sure Israeli democracy will survive.”

Herzog says that reports of the investigations into Netanyahu show he has been investing his time in shady deals to ensure control over the media instead of focusing on the needs of the public.

Repeating a claim he made last week that Netanyahu can no longer remain communications minister in light of the revelations, Herzog says he had sent a letter to the prime minister asking him to resign.

“Even if there has been no criminal wrongdoing, we are taking about a serious breach of trust by the prime minister toward the public,” Herzog says.

Last week Herzog asked Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to immediately remove Netanyahu from his role as communication minister.

— Raoul Wootliff