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Benjamin Netanyahu will testify in his corruption trial, facing charges of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery, while denying any wrongdoing.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: AFP)
As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces an international arrest warrant for war crimes charges, he is set to take the witness stand on Tuesday for the first time in his trial on corruption allegations.
Netanyahu is on trial at home on accusations of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate matters, amid Israel’s war with Hamas.
He denies wrongdoing, but his appearance on the witness stand will be a low point in his decades-long political career, standing in contrast to the image of a sophisticated, respected leader he has tried to cultivate.
The trial will take up a chunk of Netanyahu’s time at a crucial point for Israel.
Netanyahu has repeatedly sought to delay the proceedings, citing the war in Gaza and security concerns. The judges ordered the trial to resume on Tuesday, moving the proceedings to an underground chamber in a Tel Aviv court as a security precaution.
Netanyahu’s appearance in the courtroom will also draw attention to other legal issues in the Israeli leader’s orbit.
While Netanyahu is not suspected of direct involvement in those, they could weaken his public image.
THE TRIAL AGAINST BENJAMIN NETANYAHU
The trial, which began in 2020, involves three separate cases in which prosecutors say Netanyahu exchanged regulatory favours with media titans for favourable press coverage and advanced the personal interests of a billionaire Hollywood producer in exchange for lavish gifts.
Prosecutors have called roughly 140 witnesses to the stand — fewer than the 300 initially expected to testify.
Witnesses include some of Netanyahu’s closest former confidants who turned against him, as well as former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, former security chiefs and media personalities.
Lawyers have submitted thousands of items of evidence including recordings, police documents and text messages.
The prosecution called to the stand its final witness over the summer, bringing to an end three years of testimony and setting the stage for the defence to lay out its case, with Netanyahu its first witness.
Netanyahu’s appearance will give Israelis a chance to see the long-serving Israeli leader answer to the charges before the three-judge panel.
A verdict isn’t expected until 2026 at least, and then Netanyahu can choose to appeal to the Supreme Court.
