Netanyahu Testifies in Tel Aviv as Judges Reject Request to Shorten Hearing

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to testify on Tuesday at the Tel Aviv District Court in the ongoing trial over the so-called “cases 1000, 2000 and 4000.” The prosecution is currently conducting cross-examination, and Netanyahu is being questioned about the charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. The hearing may be the last in this stage, after which re-direct examination is expected to begin.

Prosecutor Yonatan Tadmor is continuing to confront Netanyahu with the allegations in Case 2000, which centers on Netanyahu’s dealings with Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Noni Mozes. According to the indictment, the two discussed a quid pro quo arrangement in which Netanyahu sought legislation that would restrict Israel Hayom, then a major competitor of Yedioth Ahronoth, and other steps that would financially benefit Mozes. In return, Mozes allegedly offered to influence the paper’s coverage to be favorable to Netanyahu and hostile to his rivals.

Netanyahu is charged in that case with fraud and breach of trust, while Mozes faces a bribery charge. Although Netanyahu has repeatedly argued that he can run the country while standing trial, he has asked throughout the proceedings to cancel or shorten many hearing days because of his official duties.

This time, he asked to cut the hearing by three hours so he could attend a cabinet meeting, but the judges rejected the request, saying the justification was insufficient. The previous hearing was canceled because of scheduling constraints on the judges.