Netanyahu might plea bargain in corruption trial

• 

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be close to making a plea bargain in his corruption trial.

If the deal goes through and Netanyahu accepts it, then he will admit to two counts of breach of trust, which will mean that he will receive a suspended sentence, in addition to a few months of jail time, which will be turned into community service.

However, one matter still remains unresolved.

Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit seems to be set on bringing charges of "moral turpitude" on Netanyahu. The former PM and war criminal seems to be trying to avoid this charge, because it would ban him from political life for seven years, effectively ending his political career.

Netanyahu has not had it so good these past couple of years, with many from his inner circle implicated in the Pandora Papers, ending up losing to Bennett and Lapid after four elections, a political gaffe in which he voted with his rivals on the budget, being lambasted in Israeli media, Donald Trump who felt "used" by the Israeli PM and lambasting him as a result, and Likud infighting that has Netanyahu losing power.

It doesn't stop here. If Netanyahu is banned for politics for several years, it would effectively end his career. The leadership contest for Likud could have unpredictable fallout on Israeli politics. Netanyahu already seems to be absent-minded, as he's reported to be "less centered, less focused," and is posting "childish videos on TikTok" according to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth.

Since the current attorney general's term is due to end later this month, Netanyahu's legal team thinks that the window for a plea bargain is closing, as his replacement seems to be unlikely to prioritize the former PM's cases.

Netanyahu may end up accepting the plea bargain.