From the Liveblog of
Monday, January 12, 2026
‘Mafia-like’: Opposition leaders denounce coalition bill to scrap charge Netanyahu is on trial for
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAriela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
Opposition leaders denounce coalition lawmakers’ proposed bill to repeal the crime of fraud and breach of trust, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently on trial for, calling it a “coup” and a “mafia-like” attempt to evade justice.
“The coalition has declared war on a democratic, developed Israel,” says Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid in a post on X. “This is not a reform; it is a full-fledged coup that will turn Israel into a failed, backward third-world country.”
He adds that his party will “fight attempts to turn Israel into a corrupt non-democracy.”
“We will fight this madness in the Knesset, in the streets, and in the courts — and we will stop it,” Lapid continues.
Democrats chair Yair Golan says that the bill is a “truly mafia-like move by a government whose senior figures are evading justice and the rule of law.”
“The message to the public is clear: it is permissible to deceive and to betray the public’s trust, as long as the seat of power remains secure,” the left-wing party leader continues.
“This is a government waging war on the rule of law. We must not allow corruption to become the norm. This government must be replaced,” Golan says.
The Times of Israel Community.