Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in a Tel Aviv courthouse on Tuesday to testify in a corruption trial that has spanned years. This marks the first time Netanyahu has taken the stand since his indictment in 2019.
Netanyahu, who arrived at the court around 10 a.m. (0800 GMT), was met by a small group of protesters demanding his government take greater action to secure the release of approximately 100 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.
The trial comes as Israel continues its war against Hamas, a conflict that began over a year ago following an October 2023 attack by the militant group. Netanyahu had previously been granted delays in his court appearances due to the war, but judges last week ruled that he must begin testifying.
Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases involving allegations of accepting gifts from millionaire associates and seeking regulatory favors for media moguls in exchange for favorable coverage. The prime minister, however, denies all wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty.
In a statement issued last Thursday, Netanyahu described the investigations as politically motivated. “The real threat to democracy in Israel is not posed by the public’s elected representatives, but by some among the law enforcement authorities who refuse to accept the voters’ choice and are trying to carry out a coup with rabid political investigations that are unacceptable in any democracy,” he said.
Netanyahu also expressed frustration over the process, stating during a press conference on Monday night that he had waited eight years to tell his side of the story. He further criticized the handling of witnesses during the investigations.
“The way witnesses were treated during these investigations was outrageous,” Netanyahu said, adding that the trial had become a prolonged battle against what he sees as a politically charged legal campaign.
Despite the war in Gaza and ongoing security concerns, including potential threats from Syria and fallout from a ceasefire with Hezbollah, Netanyahu will testify three times a week as the trial proceeds. The courtroom appearances coincide with his government’s efforts to address the escalating challenges in the region.
Netanyahu’s legal battles continue to unfold as his administration faces mounting pressure, both domestically and internationally, to manage the war in Gaza and maintain stability in a volatile Middle East.
