Is Netanyahu Era Over After Being Charged With Fraud, Bribe?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been indicted on corruption charges, the country's attorney general has announced late Thursday. The charges include bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

These developments raise further uncertainty over the political future of a country heading towards an unprecedented third election in less than a year.

The decision announced by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit was the first of its kind against a serving Israeli prime minister and represented Netanyahu's gravest crisis of his lengthy political career.

Netanyahu was charged with breach of trust and fraud in all three corruption cases against him, as well as bribery in one of the investigations, according to a charge sheet released by the Justice Ministry.

Netanyahu has assumed office since 2009. He is the country's longest-serving leader. He has denied wrongdoing in the three corruption cases, saying he is the victim of a political witch hunt.

However, submitting resignation is not a must for Netanyahu at the time being according to the Israeli laws.

Police recommended in February that Mandelblit file criminal charges against Netanyahu in the long-running investigations dubbed Cases 1000, 2000 and 4000.

Netanyahu is suspected of wrongfully accepting $264,000 worth of gifts, which prosecutors said included cigars and champagne, from tycoons and of dispensing favours in alleged bids for improved coverage by Israel's biggest selling newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, and the Walla website.

[caption id="attachment_92208" align="aligncenter" width="968"] Mr and Mrs Netanyahu[/caption]

Thanks to these charges, Netanyahu could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of bribery and a maximum 3-year term for fraud and breach of trust.

Earlier on Wednesday, Its conflict with archenemy Iran has deepened as Israeli warplanes hit Iranian targets in Syria after rockets were fired toward Israel.

In the meantime, he has been engaging into fighting with Palestinian Jihadists in Gaza.

The 70-year-old Netanyahu had become more vulnerable to indictment because of his failure to form a government after a trio of public votes, with opposition leader Benny Gantz also unable to secure a coalition.