Netanyahu's Trial Resumes Amid Election Campaign and Legal Maneuvers

The trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ongoing for nearly seven years, is set to resume with approximately 20 sessions scheduled until the general elections in late October. Both the prosecution and Netanyahu's defense team are reportedly seeking to delay proceedings and gain time. If Netanyahu wins the upcoming election and remains in office, he is expected to attempt to replace the Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, to have the indictment against him dismissed. Conversely, if he loses, he might pursue a plea deal with the prosecution that would involve his exit from political life in exchange for a reduced sentence, according to Haaretz.

In July 2023, the judges had advised the prosecution to drop the bribery charge, the most serious count in the indictment, without providing a clear explanation. The Attorney General officially rejected this advice, citing the strength of the evidence. In June, after Netanyahu's testimony concluded after 98 sessions spanning 1.5 years, the judges reiterated their recommendation to drop the bribery charge, again without explanation. The prosecution and Attorney General have not yet responded to this repeated suggestion. Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, has threatened to call hundreds of unprecedented witnesses.

Netanyahu has so far called 25 witnesses, including low-ranking police investigators. His supporters have alleged a conspiracy against him. His legal team is now seeking to call prominent figures, including former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, former Police Commissioner Roni Alsheich, and former State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan.

The judges are reportedly trying to expedite the trial by pressuring both sides to reach agreements and reduce the number of witnesses. This effort is partly aimed at concluding the trial before the head of the judicial panel, Rivka Friedman Feldman, retires in March 2028. The judges announced they would add a fifth weekly session after the Jewish holidays in early October, a move opposed by Netanyahu's lawyers who threatened to resign.

Netanyahu's lawyers have demanded the prosecution drop the bribery charge, arguing it would speed up the trial and allow them to forgo calling additional witnesses. The prosecution has not commented on this proposal. It is anticipated that Netanyahu will use the upcoming court sessions to leverage the witness stand for election campaigning, with ministers and close associates expected to testify.