Netanyahu Corruption Trial Resumes Amid Election Race

The corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to resume on Sunday, approximately seven years after its inception. The upcoming phase is expected to involve around 20 court sessions leading up to the general elections scheduled for late October. These proceedings are anticipated to directly intersect with Netanyahu's political future, as both the prosecution and defense lawyers navigate the judicial process.

According to the newspaper Haaretz, a victory for Netanyahu in the upcoming elections could empower him to attempt to dismiss the government's legal advisor, Gali Baharav-Miara. This move could pave the way for the annulment of the indictment against him. Conversely, if he loses the election, he might seek a plea deal with the prosecution, potentially involving his withdrawal from political life in exchange for a reduced sentence.

A key point of contention in the trial revolves around the bribery charge, considered the most serious count in the indictment. In July 2023, judges had recommended dropping this charge without a clear explanation, but the legal advisor rejected the recommendation, asserting that the available evidence supported the accusation. This recommendation was reiterated in June of the previous year after Netanyahu's testimony, which spanned 98 sessions over 18 months.

The defense team, led by attorney Yossi Haim, is reportedly seeking to expand the list of witnesses, with threats to summon hundreds of individuals, a tactic that could significantly prolong the trial. Netanyahu has so far called 25 witnesses, including former police investigators. His lawyers are also pushing to subpoena prominent figures such as former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, former Police Commissioner Roni Alsheich, and former State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan.

Judges are reportedly urging both sides to reach an agreement on the number of witnesses to expedite the proceedings and conclude the trial before the presiding judge, Rivka Friedman-Feldman, retires in March 2028. An additional weekly session is scheduled to be added starting in October, a move opposed by Netanyahu's lawyers. As the elections draw nearer, the trial sessions are expected to become a significant political and media event, especially with ministers and close associates of Netanyahu slated to testify, potentially allowing the Prime Minister to leverage the trial for his election campaign.