The opposition asked Israel's Supreme Court to overrule prosecutors' decision not to charge Netanyahu for his role in a political ally's short-lived appointment as attorney general.
But it appeared unlikely that the high court, which is to hear the four motions in early May, would overturn the decision.
Netanyahu said he made a mistake, but did not commit a crime. He lashed out at the news media and opposition politicians, saying they had twisted facts of the case "beyond recognition" because they were unable to accept his victory in last May's election.
Netanyahu moved quickly yesterday to keep his six-party coalition together, announcing that next week, after the end of the eight-day Passover holiday, he would appoint a ministerial committee to oversee future appointments to senior government posts.
The panel will be led by Finance Minister Dan Meridor and Trade Minister Natan Sharansky, two Cabinet members who reportedly had considered resigning over the scandal.
In Durango state, 600 miles to the north, women and children turned out by the hundreds to rob six freights in five months last year. There, children ages 11 to 13 were sent by mothers and grandmothers to use boulders to stop the trains and loot the boxcars.