Israel-Gaza war: Netanyahu corruption trial resumes in midst of war with Hamas in Jerusalem

Minister David Amsalem of Likud called the resumption of proceedings during the war “a disgrace”.

“War? Captives? … No, no. The most important thing now is to renew Netanyahu’s trial,” said Amsalem on Sunday on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Netanyahu and his allies have argued the accusations against him are politically motivated, and said his accusers are engaging in a “witch hunt.” Netanyahu had proposed a judicial overhaul that would have curbed some powers held by the courts.

The high-profile trial is expected to last several more months. An appeal process, if necessary, could take years.

According to media reports, Netanyahu could be summoned to court to give evidence in a few months.

Hollywood producer to testify at Israel PM Netanyahu’s corruption trial

In one of three cases the trial encompasses, prosecutors allege a plot between Netanyahu and the controlling shareholder of Israel’s Bezeq telecoms giant to exchange regulatory favours for positive coverage on a news site owned by the firm.

A second case relates to Netanyahu’s relationship with Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and other wealthy personalities.

According to prosecutors, between 2007 and 2016 Netanyahu allegedly received gifts valued at 700,000 shekels (US$195,000), including boxes of cigars, bottles of champagne and jewellery, in exchange for financial or personal favours.

A man wearing a mask of Benjamin Netanyahu attends a protest outside district court in Jerusalem in April 2021. Netanyahu is facing trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases. Photo: EPA-EFE

Netanyahu, who is Israel’s first sitting prime minister to stand trial, denies any wrongdoing, saying gifts were only accepted from friends and without him having asked for them.

In October 2019, his lawyers said they had received an expert legal opinion that concluded he had a right to accept gifts from close friends.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving premier, is suspected of promoting a tax project in return that would have brought Milchan millions of dollars. The finance ministry has since vetoed this proposal.

Additional reporting by dpa

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