Israel’s long-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has begun testifying in his corruption trial, becoming the first sitting Israeli prime minister to take the stand as a defendant. The 75-year-old is accused of accepting bribes and promoting advantageous regulation for media moguls in exchange for favorable coverage.
Netanyahu denies wrongdoing, calling the charges “an ocean of absurdity” and claiming they are a “witch-hunt” orchestrated by a hostile media and biased legal system. He claims to work long hours, often eating meals at his desk, and says he is capable of leading the country through its current conflicts.
The trial has exposed deep divisions in Israel, with protesters demanding Netanyahu’s resignation outside the court building. Despite not being required to step down, the charges have led to a political crisis that has resulted in multiple elections since 2019.
Netanyahu will spend several weeks testifying, taking up a significant chunk of his working hours and raising concerns about his ability to manage the country amidst ongoing conflicts. The trial follows evidence from over 120 prosecution witnesses in three cases, known as Cases 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/10/benjamin-netanyahu-court-corruption-trial