After a long marathon, the Israeli parliament, at the end of a debate, finally approved the controversial law on corruption cases.
The provision, approved with 59 votes in favor and 54 against, effectively limits the powers of the Israeli police in cases of alleged corruption. The draft law, strongly desired by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, provides that the police no longer have the power to recommend the prosecution of suspects in the general prosecutor's office.
Netanyahu accepted that the initial text was changed to exclude its application to cases involving the premier himself, who was interrogated seven times by the police. Corruption scandals involving Netanyahu drove thousands of protesters onto the streets for several consecutive Saturdays.
The premier has always declared his innocence and accused the police of "taking a stand" against him and of having asked for his indictment "regardless", right from the start of the investigations. Netanyahu also said he will not resign if he is indicted.