Israeli police say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be charged over alleged bribery cases.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: AFP
A police statement said there is enough evidence to indict Mr Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in two separate cases.
Speaking on Israeli television, Mr Netanyahu said the allegations were baseless and that he would continue as prime minister.
The allegations, he said, "will end with nothing".
What are the allegations?
One case centres on an allegation that Mr Netanyahu asked the publisher of an Israeli newspaper, Yediot Aharonot, for positive coverage in exchange for help in reining in a rival publication.
Police said the editor of Yediot Aharonot, Arnon Mozes, should also face charges.
The second allegation centres on a claim that Mr Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister since 2009, received more than $100,000 in gifts from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan and other supporters.
The Jerusalem Post said the gifts included champagne and cigars, and were given in exchange for help getting Mr Milchan a US visa.
Mr Milchan, the producer of films including Fight Club, Gone Girl and The Revenant, should face bribery charges, police said.
Haaretz newspaper reports that Mr Netanyahu, after receiving gifts, pushed for the Milchan Law, which ensures Israelis who return to live in Israel from abroad are exempt from paying taxes for 10 years.
Police said Mr Netanyahu was also suspected of fraud and breach of trust in a case involving Australian billionaire James Packer.
Israel's Channel 10 reported in December that Mr Packer told investigators he gave the prime minister and his wife Sara gifts.
Israeli media said Mr Netanyahu has been questioned by investigators at least seven times.
What happens now?
A final decision on whether Mr Netanyahu should face charges will come down to the attorney general's office. A decision could take months.
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked said any prime minister who had been charged should not be obliged to resign.
And speaking on Israeli television, Mr Netanyahu said he would continue in his role.
He said he had only ever worked "for the good of the nation" and accused police of being on a witch hunt against him.
The next legislative elections are scheduled for November 2019. Mr Netanyahu heads a fragile coalition, but appeared confident the allegations would not spur new elections.
"I am certain that at the next elections, which will be held on schedule, I will earn your trust again," he said on Tuesday.
Are these the first allegations against him?
No.
The 68-year-old is in his second stint as prime minister, and has served in the role for a total of 12 years.
He has been subject to a number of allegations in his time in office.
After his first term as prime minister two decades ago, police recommended that he and Sara face criminal charges for keeping official gifts that should have been handed over to the state. The charges were later dropped.
In July 2015, the couple were accused of charging the government for the services of a contractor who did private work for them. The charges were later dropped.
