Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu erupted in the Jerusalem District Court on Wednesday during his renewed testimony, accusing the prosecution of “absurdity” and deliberate “misleading” conduct. The hearing was interrupted after he received a confidential envelope and was told to deal with “additional developments,” leaving the dispute over evidence unresolved.
The clash centered on a new prosecution theory in Case 2000, which examines Netanyahu’s dealings with Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Noni Mozes and alleged efforts to secure favorable coverage in exchange for harming Israel Hayom. Defense lawyer Sharon Kleiman asked to present documents and testimony not previously shown to Netanyahu in cross-examination, arguing they had been given a partial and distorted picture.
Netanyahu responded sharply, saying, “You misled me. He is turning to the press. What are you talking about? Simply misleading, there is no other word, it is so clear, your honor, simply misleading.” The dispute focused on the claim, raised only recently, that the conversation with Mozes continued into January 2015, and that only on February 1 did “the gloves come off.” The defense says that assertion does not appear in the original indictment and wants to show negative press items from January 2015 that it says contradict the prosecution’s version.
Attorney Kleiman told the court, “A new thesis was presented that the discussion continued in January and on 1.2 Yedioth Ahronoth removed the gloves after months. I ask to present examples of publications from January 2015 that stand against this claim.” Judge Oded Shaham rejected a broad principled debate, saying, “We will accept the objection. The purpose of the entire process before us is that the foundation be presented so that we can decide.” The case is now at a volatile stage, with both sides fighting over whether the evidence shows a criminal scheme or ordinary political and media contacts.
