Netanyahu Finally Testifies in Corruption Case After Years of Waiting
Israel’s prime minister is facing weeks of testimony alongside the challenges of managing a nation at war.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has started testifying against long-standing corruption charges on Dec. 10; this is the first time an Israeli prime minister is facing criminal charges in court.
The charges include fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes in three separate cases, with the trial starting in 2020 and lasting over 1,600 days.
Despite hearing from many witnesses, Netanyahu himself had not testified until now.
Accusations include accepting cigars and champagne worth tens of thousands of dollars from a Hollywood producer and promoting beneficial regulations for media owners in exchange for favorable coverage.
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As the testimony continued on Dec. 11, protests were held outside the Tel Aviv courtroom, reflecting a deeply divided nation on the matter.
Denying any wrongdoing, Netanyahu claims the charges are part of a campaign against him led by a biased media and legal system.
His testimony follows years of scandals involving his family and him.
The trial offers a crucial look at whether a sitting prime minister can be held accountable for alleged crimes while still in office.
Netanyahu, now handling a prolonged war scenario across multiple fronts and a contender for Time magazine’s Person of the Year award, started testifying on Dec. 10.
Despite a brief suspension on the second day, testimony resumed as Netanyahu juggled between national affairs and legal proceedings.
The demands of the trial, lasting six hours a day, three days a week for several weeks, raise questions about his ability to manage the country effectively.
A verdict in the case is not expected until at least 2026.
Since the trial’s commencement in 2020, prosecution witnesses have shared their testimonies, including former close aides of the prime minister.
Notably, Netanyahu was cleared of involvement in a fourth case concerning submarine procurement.
Throughout his testimony, Netanyahu has refuted the accusations against him, emphasizing his dedication to his duties and inability to influence the media as alleged.
He has begun by addressing the charges against him and responding to questions from his legal team before facing cross-examination from prosecutors.
Israeli businessman Shaul Elovitch and his wife Iris attend the hearing for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial over alleged corruption crime in Jerusalem on April 5, 2021. Abir Sultan/AP
Allegations of receiving gifts from Hollywood figures and attempting to manipulate media coverage are part of the charges against Netanyahu.
He has contested the claims, stating his efforts to reform the media landscape rather than unduly influence it.
Chief Executive Officer of Las Vegas Sands Sheldon Adelson attends the Israeli American Council National Summit 2019 in Florida., on Dec.7, 2019. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
Amid the legal proceedings, Netanyahu’s supporters view the trial as an assault on democracy, while critics see it as a test of accountability within the governing system.
The trial will significantly impact Netanyahu’s time, raising concerns about his ability to effectively lead the country amid ongoing challenges.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
