Israeli PM begins testifying in Tel Aviv District Court amid legal proceedings

On December 10, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the Tel Aviv District Court, where he is set to testify.

Netanyahu declined to make any comments to the media, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

As he entered the courtroom, Netanyahu shook hands with Knesset members, ministers, and other supporters who had gathered for the first hearings to show their backing. Attempts to delay his testimony were rejected by the court. Netanyahu is scheduled to testify as a witness three times a week at the Tel Aviv District Court, from 10:00 to 16:00 (GMT+2).

The sessions will take place in a courtroom fortified against missile attacks. The decision to move the trial from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv was made based on security recommendations for the prime minister. Netanyahu will begin testifying as a defendant in three corruption cases. 

The investigation began in December 2016. In early January 2017, he was questioned by the police, and on November 21, 2019, he was formally charged with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Three separate cases have been brought against the current Israeli prime minister: Case 1000, Case 2000, and Case 4000. 

The first case, known as Case 1000, involves Netanyahu and his family receiving expensive gifts from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian-Israeli billionaire James Packer, totaling over 700,000 shekels (around $196,000). These gifts included luxury items such as expensive cigars, champagne, and other high-end goods. In return, Netanyahu is accused of providing favors to these businessmen between 2011 and 2016, such as allegedly assisting Milchan in obtaining a US visa and advocating for the elimination of double taxation for Israelis living abroad. As part of this case, the prime minister faces charges of fraud and breach of trust.

Case 2000 involves an alleged conspiracy between Netanyahu and Arnon Mozes, the owner of the newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. According to the investigation, Mozes reportedly asked Netanyahu to intervene in the business affairs of his competitor, the popular newspaper Israel Hayom, in exchange for more favourable coverage of the prime minister’s activities in Yedioth Ahronoth. Specifically, they are said to have discussed the possibility of passing a law that would limit the circulation of Israel Hayom. In this case, Netanyahu faces charges of fraud and breach of trust as well.

Case 4000 is the most serious of all three. According to the prosecution, Netanyahu provided regulatory benefits to Shaul Elovitch, the owner of the telecommunications company Bezeq, which resulted in financial gains for Elovitch amounting to hundreds of millions of shekels. 

In exchange, Elovitch allegedly ensured positive coverage of Netanyahu's policy on his news website, Walla. Former Walla CEO Ilan Yeshua testified that he was instructed to remove all negative stories about the Israeli prime minister from the site and publish articles criticising his political opponents. In this case, Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.

By Naila Huseynova