Member of Knesset David Amsalem of the Likud recently proposed a bill that would prevent the investigation of a sitting prime minister. This was interpreted by several Israeli pundits as a move hatched in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s close circle following the criminal investigation that was initiated against him. To someone who isn’t familiar with the inner workings of the Likud, it would seem that Amsalem, who serves as the chairman of the Knesset Internal Affairs Committee, heeded the request of the prime minister or one of his associates and initiated the legislation following Netanyahu’s investigation under caution on suspicion of receiving gifts and favors.
But reality is more complicated. Amsalem, who once served as the chairman of the Likud office in Jerusalem, is not one of Netanyahu’s close associates, and he is even considered to be part of the domestic opposition. In March 2016, he threatened, with member of Knesset Avraham Neguise, who is of Ethiopian heritage, to bring down the government if the crisis of bringing the Falash Mura (Ethiopians of Jewish ancestry) to Israel wasn't solved.
