Israeli ex-PM Netanyahu’s cases could be dropped in plea deal

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Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is negotiating a plea deal which could end his corruption trial, a source close to the talks has said. An agreement could see Mr Netanyahu, 72, plead guilty to reduced charges in return for community service instead of a possible jail term.  Reports say Mr Netanyahu is, however, objecting to accepting a charge which would require him to leave politics. Israel’s longest serving leader was unseated after elections last year. He is head of the right-wing Likud, the largest party in the Israeli parliament, and was prime minister for a record 15 years. In his last five years in office, Mr Netanyahu was dogged by a police investigation into allegations against him, followed by the start of his trial in 2020.(BBC)…[+]