Left wing to blame for corruption claims, Benjamin Netanyahu says as he rejects resignation calls

But former IDF general Benny Gantz, whose Blue & White alliance is leading opinion polls, said the Prime Minister needed to stop personal attacks on individuals he had appointed himself, such as Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit.

“Mr Netanyahu, this country is dear to us and I am sure that it is also dear to you. You have the power to stop this,” he said in remarks of his own on Thursday.

“I call on you, Netanyahu, to show responsibility and to resign from you position.”

Legally, Mr Netanyahu remains innocent until proven guilty and yesterday's decision is the first of a five-stage process that includes multiple court hearings and could take more than two years.

But analysts believe the decision could dent Mr Netanyahu's support in opinion polls and frustrate his attempts to form a coalition after election day.

“No democracy can tolerate public corruption or any exception to the principle of equality before the law,” said Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute think tank.

“It is also vital that we learn lessons from this affair and consider amendments to the existing Basic Laws in order to establish an appropriate system of rapid investigation of suspected wrongdoings on the part of elected officials, and mechanisms for suspension or resignation during the investigation process.”