Indicted Israeli PM Netanyahu appears in court for corruption trial

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made history by becoming the first sitting leader to take the stand as a criminal defendant in Israel’s history.

He faces charges of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes in three separate cases, which were first filed in 2019.

The allegations against Netanyahu include accepting tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of cigars and champagne from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan in exchange for personal and business favours.

He’s also accused of promoting regulations that benefited media moguls, such as Shaul Elovitch, in exchange for favorable coverage of himself and his family.

Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing, calling the accusations “fake” and a “witch hunt” orchestrated by the media and a biased legal system.

His trial began in May 2020, and the prosecution rested in July 2024.

Netanyahu’s testimony started in December 2024, with his defense team requesting several postponements.

This is just the latest challenge for Netanyahu, who’s also facing an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Israel’s war against Hamas.

Over 2,000 people protested in Jerusalem on Sunday, calling for an end to the war and the release of hostages in Gaza.

Critics accuse Netanyahu of prolonging the war to avoid facing the trial and maintain his power.

Under Israeli law, Netanyahu’s not required to resign unless convicted by the Supreme Court, a process that could take several months.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, with Israel’s 15th war in Gaza being described as the deadliest for Palestinians in the history of the conflict.

*Key Facts About the Trial:

*Three Separate Cases: Netanyahu faces charges in three cases: Case 1000 (gifts from businessmen), Case 2000 (deals with media moguls), and Case 4000 (regulatory favors for Bezeq).

*333 Witnesses: The prosecution listed 333 witnesses, including former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and former Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

*Plea Bargain Negotiations: In 2022, reports surfaced about negotiations for a possible plea bargain, but that did not materialize.

*Security Concerns: Due to security concerns related to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the trial judges agreed to reduce the number of court hearings.

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