Likud Candidate Proposes Law to Block Investigations into Past Actions

Yaakov Bardugo, a commentator and news anchor for Channel 14 who has been placed on the Likud party's Knesset list, revealed a legislative proposal he intends to advance if elected. In an interview with Shimon Riklin on the program "In Riklin's Sukkah," Bardugo suggested prohibiting the initiation of investigations against Knesset candidates for actions committed prior to their inclusion on a party list.

Bardugo stated that investigations into actions occurring after a candidate is placed on the list would still be permissible. He linked this proposal to his concerns about the potential misuse of investigations against right-wing figures, though he did not elaborate on the specific implementation of such a law.

Responding to a question about potential pressure due to his entry into politics, Bardugo expressed certainty that he has been targeted for years. He asserted that individuals on the right side of the political map in Israel are often "marked with a cross." Bardugo plans to present his legislative idea to decision-makers after the formation of a new government.

"My opinion is that it should be forbidden to open an investigation backward, from the moment you were placed on the list of candidates for the Knesset until that moment," Bardugo explained. He emphasized that this prohibition would not apply to future actions, stating, "Investigation forward, yes. If you committed a transgression, if you did something, yes. Until then, it is forbidden."

Bardugo further clarified his intention to codify this proposal into law, arguing that investigations should only proceed forward. He claimed that opening investigations into public figures from the right immediately labels them as "criminals."