Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in court for the first time on Tuesday to testify in his corruption trial, which has been ongoing for years. Netanyahu, 75, is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to face criminal charges. He has been in office almost continuously since 2009.
“I have been waiting for eight years for this moment to tell the truth,” Netanyahu told the three judges. “But I am also a prime minister. I am leading the country through a seven-front war. And I think the two can be done in parallel.”
“This is the opportunity to dispel the allegations against me. There is a great absurdity in the charges and great injustice,” the Israeli PM said.
Netanyahu arrived at the Tel Aviv district court, where the trial is being held in an underground courtroom near the country’s defense headquarters for undisclosed security reasons. His lawyer, Amit Hadad, argued that the investigation was flawed, claiming prosecutors were “going after a person” rather than investigating a crime.
Under Israeli law, a prime minister does not need to resign while facing charges. Netanyahu’s indictment in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust has caused political instability, leading to five elections in four years. However, he denies any wrongdoing.
The court required Netanyahu to testify despite his role in managing the ongoing war in Gaza. He is expected to appear in court three times a week. Judges had previously granted delays due to the conflict, but last week ruled that his testimony must begin.
The charges against Netanyahu involve allegations of accepting gifts from wealthy friends and seeking regulatory favors in exchange for positive media coverage. Netanyahu has consistently denied the allegations and described the investigations as politically motivated. Last week, he said, “The real threat to democracy in Israel is not posed by the public’s elected representatives, but by some among the law enforcement authorities who refuse to accept the voters’ choice and are trying to carry out a coup with rabid political investigations that are unacceptable in any democracy.”
Adding to his legal challenges, the International Criminal Court (ICC) recently issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, former Israeli defense chief Yoav Gallant, and a Hamas leader for alleged war crimes related to the Gaza conflict.
What are the charges against Netanyahu?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three interconnected cases. The allegations involve claims that he granted regulatory favors and diplomatic support to business figures in return for gifts and favorable media coverage. Netanyahu denies all allegations. The trial includes three cases, numbered 1000, 2000, and 4000, while he was cleared in a fourth case, 3000.
Case 1000
Netanyahu is accused of accepting gifts worth nearly $300,000, such as cigars and champagne, from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer between 2007 and 2016. In return, prosecutors allege that Netanyahu:
- Pressured the finance ministry to extend tax exemptions for returning expatriate Israelis, benefiting Milchan.
- Lobbied the US government to renew Milchan’s visa.
- Assisted with a merger involving a television channel partly owned by Milchan.
There are no claims that Packer received anything in return for his gifts. Milchan, Packer, and Netanyahu deny wrongdoing. Milchan and Packer are not on trial, nor is Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, who is also said to have received gifts.
Case 2000
In 2014, Netanyahu allegedly discussed a deal with Arnon Mozes, the publisher of Yediot Aharonot, a prominent Israeli newspaper. Netanyahu is accused of considering legislation to weaken a rival paper, Israel Hayom, owned by his supporter Sheldon Adelson, in exchange for positive coverage from Yediot Aharonot. However, Netanyahu is not accused of implementing the agreement. Mozes, who is on trial, denies the allegations.
Case 4000
From 2012 to 2017, Netanyahu and his family allegedly received favorable coverage from the news website Walla, owned by telecom mogul Shaul Elovitch and his wife, Iris. In return, the Elovitches reportedly sought Netanyahu’s support for their business interests, including approval of a merger between Bezeq, Elovitch’s telecom company, and Yes, his satellite TV provider.
The Elovitches, who are also on trial, deny any wrongdoing.
#Great #absurdity #charges #Israeli #Netanyahu #takes #stand #corruption #trial #Times #India
