Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu was charged with bribery, fraud and abuse of trust, according to an Israeli Justice Department notice today.

The decision to prosecute Prime Minister Netanyahu on three charges was announced by Justice Minister Avichai Mandelblit and delivered in writing to his lawyer. This is the first time an incumbent Israeli Prime Minister has been indicted on these charges.

Netanyahu, who denies wrongdoing in the three corruption allegations, will face enormous political pressure after being prosecuted, though he has no legal obligation to resign.

Netanyahu can ask the Israeli parliament or Knesset, the legislative branch of the Israeli government, to grant him immunity.

Israeli police in February asked Minister of Justice Mandelblit to criminalize the Prime Minister in lengthy investigations known as Cases 1000, 2000 and 4000. The first case revolves around the case Prime Minister Netanyahu proposed. Yediot Aharonot wrote a positive series about him, in exchange for rival newspapers that would be pinched.

The second allegation claimed that Netanyahu had received $ 283,000 worth of gifts from Hollywood tycoon Arnon Milchan and supporters. The Jerusalem Post newspaper said the gifts, including wine and cigars, were given by Milchan in exchange for a US visa.

Investigators said Netanyahu was also suspected of fraud and abuse of confidence in a case involving Australian billionaire James Packer. Israel's longest serving prime minister could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of corruption and up to a maximum of 3 years for fraud and abuse of trust.