Likud, Kulanu lawmakers spar over PM immunity bill

Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon (Kulanu) and coalition chair David Bitan (Likud) trade barbs over a bill that would give serving prime ministers immunity from criminal prosecution.

The legislation, proposed by Likud MK David Amsalem, would amend Israel’s Basic Laws in such a way as to prohibit police from investigating an incumbent premier for fraud, bribery or breach of trust. In its current form, however, the bill would likely not help Netanyahu, as it specifies it would not apply to ongoing investigations.

But several coalition lawmakers have said that Likud MKs are pushing the bill through the legislative process without proper deliberation and plan to change the wording later so as to provide cover for the prime minster. Kulanu, among other parties, have called to delay a vote on the bill until next week.

Bitan, a staunch Netanyahu ally, reportedly threatened to freeze all government legislation until the bill is passed by committee. He reportedly told Kahlon during a meeting of coalition heads: “We let your proposals pass” — so you should let ours.

Kahlon is said to have responded: “We do everything according to the coalition agreements. You want me to stop coming to these meetings? You are trying to cause a crisis.”