Netanyahu Will Go on Trial Next Week

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday requested that his trial on charges of corruption be postponed until later in the year.

His request was denied.

Netanyahu will officially go on trial in the Jerusalem District Court on Tuesday, March 17, just one day after President Reuven Rivlin is scheduled to decide whom to tap to form the next government.

While Netanyahu’s Likud party won the most seats in this month’s national election, his right-wing bloc does not have the 61-seat Knesset majority needed establish a stable ruling coalition.

There is also the question of whether or not it would be right (even if it’s not technically illegal) to task an indicted politician with heading the next government in Israel.

Netanyahu was indicted last November on multiple charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Bibi, to use the prime minister’s nickname, maintains his innocence, and insists that the entire affair is a judicial witch hunt.