Israel’s entire political system is focused on the country’s Attorney General Menahem Mazuz.
Mazuz has to decide on the very fate of the current government and with it the plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
The attorney general has to make a ruling on whether Prime Minister Ariel Sharon should stand trial for his part in what has become known as the Greek Island affair.
On Sunday State Attorney Edna Arbel formally recommended to Mazuz that Sharon be tried for alleged bribe-taking over a period of years.
Sharon allegedly used his political influence in Athens to help Israeli businessman David Appel buy an island off the Greek coast, which he wished to turn into a vacation resort.
The police and state prosecutors believe Sharon received political aid within his Likud party in return.
Sharon’s two sons ‘Omri and Gil’ad are expected to be indicted in connection with this and two other affairs.
However, the case against Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been dropped because of a lack of evidence.
The Media Line analysts say Sharon will not have to resign if indicted but he will have to be suspended.
But top members of the second-largest party in the government, Shinui, say they will quit the coalition if Sharon refuses to resign if indicted.
Meanwhile, the political right is fearful that Sharon will try to rush through his Gaza-withdrawal plan as soon as possible.
Politicians there say he may try to do so either to take attention away from his legal affairs or because he wants to push the proposal through before he is forced to leave office.
Mazuz is expected to announce his decision in two to three months after carrying out his own investigation.