Netanyahu Hires Criminal Lawyer Scandal Swirls Around Failed Attorney General Appointment

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under questioning in an alleged influence-trading scandal that could bring down his government, has hired one of Israel’s top criminal lawyers to represent him, the lawyer confirmed Sunday.

As the scandal spread, the opposition Labor Party prepared for the possibility of early elections.

Netanyahu, who was in Jordan on Sunday, reportedly has been warned by police that he could face criminal charges in connection with the short-lived appointment of a political crony as attorney general.

He has denied any wrongdoing.

“Not only is the prime minister not tainted with any criminal act, he has not committed so much as a particle of a criminal act,” Netanyahu’s new lawyer, Yaacov Weinroth, told The Associated Press.

Police Minister Avigdor Kahalani, a leading ally in Netanyahu’s government coalition, said Saturday that the growing scandal could bring down the government.

But Netanyahu said he was certain he would see his term through to the next scheduled vote in 2000.

Netanyahu was questioned last week about allegations that Arieh Deri, leader of the religious Shas party, made his party’s support for last month’s Hebron agreement conditional on the appointment of a Jerusalem lawyer, Roni Bar-On, as attorney general.

Deri is being tried on corruption charges and Israel Television reported that Bar-On was to arrange a plea bargain in exchange for his appointment.

The station said Deri threatened Netanyahu that unless Bar-On was appointed, he would withdraw Shas’ vote for Israel’s agreement to hand over most of the West Bank city of Hebron to the Palestinians.

Netanyahu and Deri have denied any such conspiracy. Bar-On resigned one day after his appointment amid criticism he was chosen only because of his political ties.

Israeli media, citing police sources, reported last week that police believe they have enough evidence to bring charges against at least one senior government official.