The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahuarrived on time at 10 local time (8:00 GMT) to testify for the first time in his corruption trial in a Tel Aviv court, which has a bomb bunker for security reasons.
“I have been waiting for this day eight years to present the truth“, to explode the delusional and unfounded accusations against me, and to reveal the method of this witch hunt,” the prime minister said last night in an unusual press conference in which he attacked several journalists.
The first to intervene was the prime minister’s lawyer, Atty Amir Haddadwho qualified as the accusations against his client are absurd and considered that he is being investigated for trying to get decent media coverage, which in his opinion does not constitute a crime.
Amir Haddad made reference in this first statement to cases 4000 and 2000, which link telecommunications businessmen to whom he supposedly granted favors in exchange for coverage that benefited their image.
Outside the court there is about 200 people gathered among leftist protesters who call for Netanyahu’s resignation, right-wing sympathizersin addition to representatives of the families of the Hamas hostages in Gaza.
Responding to Netanyahu’s call, Transportation Minister Miri Regevand the representative of the National Security portfolio Itamar Ben Gvircame to court, as well as the speaker of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset), Amir Ohanaand several deputies from his party Likudcomo Shlomo Karhi, Avichay Boaron, Osnat Mark y Tali Gotliv.
The far-right politician is also present in the room Almog Cohencommon in social gatherings defending the prime minister.
Upon arriving at the court, Netanyahu, who did not enter through the main door, greeted those who showed up at the courthouse to express their support.
Prior to your arrival, Ben Gvir told the media that he was there to express his support for the prime ministerwho in his opinion is the target of a “campaign of persecution.”
“What I want to say is very simple: “It is clear to everyone that he is making up accusations.”he stated.
Previously, the Minister of Culture, Miki Zoharsuggested in a statement that the trial against Netanyahu endangers the hostages held in Gaza.
It is the first time that the Prime Minister of Israel comes to present his testimony for the three cases in which he has been investigated for five years, in which he is accused of alleged bribery, fraud and abuse of trust, in events that occurred between 2007 and 2019.
The trial, which has been delayed many times since it first began in May 2020, it is scheduled to last several months, with an appeals process that could drag things out even further.
From the beginning of the trial, it was established that around 300 witnesses would offer their testimony; To date, 140 have already done so.
Netanyahu, who submitted multiple requests to delay the process due to the wars Gaza y Lebanondenies having committed any crime.
On Monday, around a dozen ministers of Netanyahu’s coalition sent a letter to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara requesting postponement of the trial in light of the events in Syria and the general security situation. The letter followed similar requests from ministers and requests from the prime minister’s legal team to postpone his testimony due to Israel’s wars and busy schedule.
The prosecution has argued that it is in the public interest for the trial to conclude as soon as possible and The court has denied all of those requests, although he has agreed to start trial days somewhat later and occasionally reduce hearings from three to two days a week due to the prime minister’s work.
In the first case, Netanyahu and his wife, Saraare accused of accept luxury items from billionairessuch as cigars, jewelry and champagne, for worth more than $260,000in exchange for political favors.
Among the alleged benefactors are the Israeli-born Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and the Australian businessman James Packer.
In the other two cases, it is alleged that Netanyahu attempted to negotiate a more favorable coverage in two Israeli media outlets.
One of them concerns the prime minister’s alleged attempts to reach an agreement with Arnon Moseseditor of the popular Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronothto obtain better coverage by agreeing to weaken the status of a rival newspaper.
The other alleges that Netanyahu received favorable coverage on the popular news website Wallaproperty of his close friend Shaul Elovitchin exchange for pave the way for a telecom merger sought by Elovitch.
Since returning to power at the end of 2022, Netanyahu’s coalition government has clashed with the country’s judiciary and security forces and has caused massive protests by trying to pass laws that would weaken the courts.
Other Israeli leaders have been convicted in criminal cases, including former Prime Minister Ehud Olmertwho resigned before his trial began, but Netanyahu is the first to sit in the dock as a sitting prime minister.
(With information from EFE and AFP)
