DISGRACED former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reported to be negotiating a plea bargain to end his corruption trial and spare himself from prison.

He has pleaded not guilty to bribery, breach of trust and fraud in three cases. The indictments, brought in 2019, could carry jail terms.

But according to reports, a deal could be struck with Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit this week that would see him accept reduced charges.

Any resulting jail term would be commuted to community service under the deal, sources involved in the talks have suggested.

But there is disagreement over Mr Netanyahu’s demand to be spared a conviction carrying a “moral turpitude” clause, which would ban him from politics for years.

He wants to challenge the current coalition government headed by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, whom he has vowed to unseat.
Mr Netanyahu denies all the charges against him, claiming that they are part of a political witch-hunt.

Protests against the deal were held outside the attorney general’s house on Saturday.

“The man who worked to destroy the public’s trust in the foundations of democracy for personal reasons is not eligible for deals,” said Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz.