April 17, 1997. Copyright, 1997, UK News. All rights reserved


NETANYAHU FIGHTS FOR HIS POLITICAL LIFE

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was today (THUR) fighting for his political life.
His high-flying career was in danger of being wrecked after police recommended he be indicted for fraud and breach of trust.
Mr NetanyahuÕs involvement in a political scandal complicates the already beleagured peace process in the Middle East. 
He had been due to meet American peace envoy Dennis Ross, who has returned to the region to try to salvage talks between the Israelis and Palestinians. 
A police report recommended the Likud party leader be charged with fraud and breach of trust over the appointment of Roni Bar-On as attorney general. 
IsraelÕs state prosecutor could decide to ignore the police recommendation to put Mr Netanyahu on trial for his appointment of Mr Bar-On, a political sidekick, as attorney general. 
Mr Bar-On quit only hours after being appointed amid claims he was not up to the job. 
Mr Netanyahu's lawyer, Yaacov Weinroth, said he would show prosecutors the charges were ÔbaselessÕ. 
He said: ÔIf what I have been told is correct this recommendation says that even if it is accepted it is subject to a summary interrogation of the prime minister.Õ 
Mr NetanyahuÕs spokesman, Shai Bazak, said: ÔI have no doubt  whatsoever the prime minister has no problem with this affair - he will emerge completely clean from this matter.Õ 
The Israeli leader came from behind to win a general election with the tiniest majority over Labour's Shimon Peres last May. But health minister Yehoshua Matza, who is close to Mr Netanyahu, said he might have to call a fresh election if the present attorney general, who replaced Mr Bar-On late last year, decided to prosecute. 
Asked if the prime minister should not resign because of the seriousness of the affair, Mr Matza said: ÔNo. We are a state of law. And we have to wait for the decision of the attorney general.Õ 
But Mr Peres said the police recommendation was a Ôpolitical earthquakeÕ and warranted calling an early election. 
ENDS