Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to testify for the first time in his long-standing corruption trial on Tuesday. The court order requires him to appear three times a week, despite Israel’s ongoing war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza and broader regional instability.
Netanyahu, indicted in 2019, faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases. These include allegations of accepting gifts from wealthy associates and seeking regulatory favors for media moguls in exchange for favorable coverage. The prime minister has denied all charges and pleaded not guilty, claiming the investigations are politically motivated.
“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,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
The trial resumes as Israel continues its war against Hamas, which began after a devastating attack by the militant group on October 7, 2023. The conflict, initially uniting Israelis in grief, has now deepened political divides. Netanyahu’s legal challenges, sidelined by the war, are again capturing public attention.
His courtroom appearances come as his government grapples with new threats from neighboring countries like Syria and the fallout of a ceasefire with Hezbollah, Hamas’ Lebanese ally.
Netanyahu’s legal troubles have long polarised Israel, contributing to five rounds of elections in recent years. Efforts by his government to limit judicial powers last year further intensified divisions. As the war continues, tensions between Netanyahu’s cabinet members and the judiciary have escalated, with clashes involving justice and police ministers.
Adding to his woes, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant last month against Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and a Hamas leader, citing alleged war crimes during the Gaza conflict.
At 75, Netanyahu is Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, having held office almost consecutively since 2009. He is also the first sitting Israeli leader to face criminal charges. As his trial unfolds, Netanyahu must balance the pressures of courtroom scrutiny with the demands of managing a nation at war.
The outcome of his testimony could have profound implications for both his political future and the country’s legal and political landscape.
Melissa Enoch
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