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Intervention from the Supreme Court

Watchdog groups and critics of the prime minister have been preparing to petition Israel’s Supreme Court to challenge Mr. Netanyahu’s continued tenure under indictment. That means challenging clauses in Israel’s basic law on government, which has a constitutional status.

In two cases in the 1990s, the Supreme Court ruled that an ordinary minister and a deputy minister must be fired immediately upon being charged. But ministers can easily be replaced. If a prime minister resigns, the entire government automatically falls, adding to the significance of any decision by the court.

A request for immunity

Like any lawmaker, Mr. Netanyahu could ask for parliamentary immunity from prosecution. That can be granted by a house committee and then by a vote in Parliament.

After two inconclusive elections and months of political paralysis in Israel, the house committee is currently not functioning — and may not resume work for months, until another election is held and a government formed. This may delay the entire judicial process.

Revolt in the prime minister’s party

Rebel members of Mr. Netanyahu’s conservative Likud party could demand a primary to try to elect a new leader. If Mr. Netanyahu, who has denied all wrongdoing, survives as party leader, he could still run in a national ballot for another term.