Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing intense domestic pressure amidst the ongoing war in Gaza. On Monday, he appeared in court for the latest session of his years-long corruption trial, denying charges of granting regulatory favors to businessmen in exchange for bribes and positive news coverage.
Meanwhile, police officers questioned Netanyahu about a new case involving his aides, with two aides detained in the afternoon. The investigation centers on allegations that the aides leaked classified information to a foreign newspaper and received payments from people connected to the Qatari government.
Netanyahu’s efforts to replace the head of Israel’s domestic spy agency, Ronen Bar, have sparked tensions between the prime minister and other state institutions. His office announced the nomination of Eli Sharvit as the new head of the Shin Bet, but critics argue that the move was made without due process.
The standoff over Bar’s dismissal has become a broader dispute about how Israel should be governed, with Netanyahu pushing to expand his executive power and diminish the influence of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies. Critics see this as an attempt to undermine the trial and edge towards autocracy.
The situation is complex, with internal and external conflicts escalating rapidly. The Israeli military continues to step up its operations in Gaza, while Netanyahu oversees Israel’s longest-ever war. The future outcome of the Supreme Court hearing on April 8 remains uncertain, leaving many wondering what the next move will be.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/31/world/middleeast/israel-netanyahu-shin-bet.html