Netanyahu diagnosed with food poisoning, corruption trial delayed until September

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been diagnosed with food poisoning and will be working from home for the next three days, his office announced on July 20.

The development has led to the postponement of this week’s scheduled hearings in his long-running corruption trial, with his next court appearance now unlikely before September, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

Netanyahu began feeling unwell overnight and missed the July 20 weekly cabinet meeting, prompting questions about his condition. Later in the day, his office issued a statement confirming his illness.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Dr. Alon Hershko, head of internal medicine at Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital in Jerusalem, examined Netanyahu at his residence and diagnosed him with intestinal inflammation caused by spoiled food. The prime minister was said to be in good condition after undergoing further testing and was being treated with intravenous fluids to counter dehydration.

“In accordance with his doctors’ instructions, the prime minister will rest at home for the next three days and will conduct state affairs from there,” the PMO said.

As a result of the illness, the Jerusalem District Court cancelled Netanyahu’s scheduled testimony in his corruption trial on July 21–22. His next opportunity to take the stand will not come until after the court’s summer recess, which ends on September 5.

Netanyahu’s legal team, led by Amit Hadad, requested the postponement, which the State Attorney’s Office accepted. However, prosecutors proposed rescheduling the hearings for July 23–24—a suggestion that is unlikely to move forward given Netanyahu’s current medical condition and the court’s recess schedule.

The trial, which began in 2020, sees Netanyahu facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases. He denies all allegations, claiming they are politically motivated.

By Vugar Khalilov