Sa’ar says immunity bill ‘will hurt Likud,’ won’t help Netanyahu

Likud MK Gideon Sa’ar says he opposes proposed legislation that would grant immunity to serving lawmakers, which critics charge is meant to shield Prime Minister Netanyahu from prosecution in a series of corruption cases.

Speaking with Channel 12 news, Sa’ar says the passage of such a bill “will hurt Likud” and won’t help Netanyahu.

“Legislation like this has no benefit and maximum harm,” he says. “There are additional Likud members who are bothered by legislation like this.”

Sa’ar, a former Likud minister, was reelected to the Knesset in April’s elections following a hiatus from politics. Seen as a future Likud leader, Sa’ar has been accused by Netanyahu of scheming to remove him from power, a charge he has vociferously denied.

Following the interview, the network quotes Likud sources accusing Sa’ar of “being self-righteous” and working against Netanyahu.