Coalition Chairman MK (Likud) David Bitan informed Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu earlier this week that he would be stepping down from his position due to the police investigation against him, however, he will remain a MK.

The powerful coalition chairman has already been questioned by police ‘under caution’ twice,  indicating a criminal indictment against him is likely. The police probe dates back to when he served as chairman of the Rishon L’Tzion Planning & Building Committee, during which time he allegedly made deals with organized crime families to pay off his staggering NIS 1.6 million in personal debts.

MK (Likud) David Amsalem has been appointed in Bitan’s place.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)