ISRAEL: PM Benjamin Netanyahu has...........>

MIDEAST: ISRAEL: PM Benjamin Netanyahu has withdrawn his request for immunity

from prosecution, shortly before the Knesset (parliament) was due to form a

committee to decide whether the PM's initial request should be granted.

- Netanyahu was indicted in Nov 2019 in 3 different cases accused of bribery,

breach of trust, and fraud. Withdrawal of request for immunity may be a

face-saving measure, given it was seen as likely to have been turned down.

- The withdrawal of the request for immunity means the case against Netanyahu

can proceed immediately, with the PM currently in the US having met with

President Trump on Monday. 

- It comes at a pivotal time for Israeli politics, with legislative elections

slated for 2 March, the third election in less than a year.

- Netanyahu's Likud party trails the main opposition Blue & White coalition of

Benny Gantz in opinion polls ahead of the vote. 

- Unlikely that legal proceedings will conclude by election day, raising

prospect of Netanyahu being convicted having won the election, sparking

significant political uncertainty at time of elevated risk in Middle East.