Tel Aviv: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will take the witness stand on Tuesday for the first time in his extended corruption trial, balancing courtroom obligations with his leadership during Israel's ongoing war against Hamas.
Despite the conflict, which has persisted for over a year, a court order issued Thursday mandates that Netanyahu begin testifying. Facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, the prime minister will testify three times a week, even as tensions in the Middle East, including neighboring Syria, escalate. Netanyahu denies all charges and has pleaded not guilty.
The trial stems from allegations of receiving lavish gifts from wealthy benefactors and seeking regulatory benefits for media moguls in exchange for favorable coverage. Netanyahu has labeled the investigations a politically motivated “witch hunt” and accused law enforcement of undermining democracy.
The war, triggered by Hamas’ surprise attack in October 2023, initially unified Israeli politics and overshadowed Netanyahu’s legal troubles. However, as the conflict drags on, political unity has fractured, with divisions re-emerging over his trial and recent clashes between government officials and the judiciary.
This marks the first time a sitting Israeli prime minister has faced criminal charges. Compounding his legal challenges, the International Criminal Court (ICC) recently issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and others for alleged war crimes related to the Gaza conflict.