Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cross-examination in his trial ended on Tuesday after 94 hearing days, including 59 prosecution sessions. His testimony is now in its final stage and is expected to conclude next week after a short re-examination by the defense, likely taking about two court days.
In the last sessions, prosecutor Yonatan Tadmor questioned Netanyahu about Case 2000, in which Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Noni Mozes is also charged. Tadmor focused on a December 2017 meeting and argued that Netanyahu was trying to make Mozes believe he intended to advance the “Israel Hayom law.” Netanyahu replied, “He can think what he wants,” and insisted he was not misleading Mozes, only seeking a softened version of the bill, possibly after the election depending on coalition results.
The exchange also centered on Netanyahu’s characterization of the media battle as a “cold war.” Tadmor suggested Netanyahu wanted to “reduce the flames” before the election and that the criticism in Yedioth Ahronoth and Ynet was part of that conflict. Netanyahu said Mozes was a political rival who used “super hostile” tools, that the outlets “crossed the line” in that election, and that he was not treating them as allies but as adversaries in a political struggle.
Tadmor then pressed Netanyahu on his claim that he recorded Mozes to document “improper offers” and to keep a “card” against him. Netanyahu said he needed only two recordings because he had captured what he wanted, arguing that Mozes used “carrots and sticks.” When Tadmor asked what threat was exposed, Netanyahu said no one believed coverage issues amounted to bribery or a crime, adding that neither he, legal adviser Raz Nizri nor others thought there was any offense. Presiding judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman intervened to clarify that the question concerned an alleged threat.
Tadmor also revisited the collapse of the talks in February 2015, saying attacks on Netanyahu increased after Mozes was frustrated that the deal did not become legislation. Netanyahu denied responsibility for Mozes’s motives, said he blocked the law, and argued he was preparing for a possible tie. He also rejected Tadmor’s point that the breakdown of relations showed the accused understandings behind the case. Referring to his Facebook post against Mozes, Netanyahu said the negative coverage had been hostile long before the election and claimed the election date, not the law, drove the attacks.
