Benjamin Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing.Credit:European Pressphoto Agency
A defeat in the parliament would have delivered an embarrassment to the embattled Prime Minister,and taken some of the gloss off aUS peace plan for the Middle East released on Tuesday (Wednesday Australian time).
Netanyahu said in a Facebook post that he had informed Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein of his decision. Parliament had been scheduled to decide whether to form a committee to discuss the request for immunity,which didn't appear to have enough support in the legislature.
"Because I haven't been allowed a fair process,"Netanyahu wrote in the post,"I have decided not to let this rigged game continue."
The Israeli attorney-general's office told Netanyahu in November he would be tried in three cases,on charges including bribery. He's accused of abusing his position to take gifts from wealthy friends - including Australian billionaire James Packer - and scheming to benefit media moguls to win favourable coverage.
According to documents released by the attorney-general and published by theTimes of Israel,it is alleged that Netanyahu received"various benefits,mainly the regular supply of valuable goods ... of considerable scope and value"as a result of his relationship with Packer and businessman Arnon Milchan.
A spokesperson for Packer did not respond by deadline to questions about his being listed a witness in the case against the Prime Minister.
Netanyahu,who was in Washington for the Tuesday release of President Donald Trump's long-awaited Middle East proposal,added he"wouldn't allow his political rivals to use the issue to disrupt the historic"occasion.
Shortly after,the Justice Ministry said that in light of Netanyahu's decision to withdraw the request,prosecutors had submitted the indictment to the Jerusalem district court.