Netanyahu rejects ‘absurd’ corruption charges after becoming first Israeli PM to take stand as criminal defendant
Benjamin Netanyahu made history on Tuesday as Israel’s first sitting Prime Minister to testify in his own corruption trial.
Appearing at Tel Aviv district court, Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust across three separate cases.
“I have waited eight years for this moment, to say the truth as I remember it, which is important for justice,” Netanyahu told the court.
The Israeli leader maintained his innocence, declaring: “There is no justice without truth. This is the opportunity to dispel the allegations against me. There is a great absurdity in the charges and great injustice.”
Police first opened investigations into Netanyahu’s alleged corruption in 2016, with formal indictment following in 2019.
In Case 1000, Netanyahu is accused of accepting gifts worth 700,000 Israeli shekels (£153,500), including cigars and champagne, from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer.
Case 2000 involves allegations of a deal with Yediot Aharonot newspaper publisher Arnon Mozes, trading favourable coverage for legislation damaging their rival, Israel Hayom.
Case 4000 centres on another alleged media deal, where Netanyahu reportedly sought positive coverage from news site Walla! in exchange for benefiting Bezeq telecom giant’s shareholder Shaul Elovitch.
The trial has faced multiple delays due to Covid, judicial sabbaticals, and the ongoing wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the court, with both supporters and opponents of Netanyahu making their voices heard.
The Prime Minister’s supporters chanted “Netanyahu, the people support you,” according to AFP journalists at the scene.
Meanwhile, protesters who have been rallying against Netanyahu for months responded with chants of “Bibi to prison”.
Several of Netanyahu’s ministers appeared at the court in a show of support for the embattled Prime Minister.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir echoed Netanyahu’s claims of being targeted, calling for the dismissal of current Israeli Attorney General Gali-Baharav Miara.
“It is clear to everyone that she is fabricating cases,” Ben-Gvir said of the attorney general.
Critics of Netanyahu claim the legal proceedings will finally bring justice to what they describe as a corrupt politician who will do anything to maintain power.
They have also accused the prime minister of deliberately extending the 14-month conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon as a means of evading justice.