Netanyahu Trial: Minister Elkin's Testimony Under Scrutiny in Case 2000

The criminal trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resumed Monday with a tense cross-examination of Minister Ze'ev Elkin in Case 2000. Elkin, appearing for the third time, previously described a "natural symbiosis" and regular briefings between politicians and publishers. While his earlier testimony supported Netanyahu's defense, the prosecution is now attempting to undermine his statements.

Case 2000 concerns alleged discussions between Netanyahu and Arnon Mozes, publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth, about favorable coverage in exchange for legislative actions against the rival Israel Hayom newspaper. Netanyahu is accused of fraud and breach of trust.

Netanyahu's defense team argues that such interactions with media are standard political practice. Elkin's prior testimony, detailing his own extensive dealings with journalists and publishers, was intended to bolster this claim. He described influencing media coverage as an inherent part of public life, suggesting Netanyahu's conversations with Mozes were not exceptional.

The prosecution aims to differentiate between routine political briefings and the specific, alleged illicit "quid pro quo" deal central to Case 2000. They will challenge Elkin's narrative, arguing it does not negate the evidence against the Prime Minister.

Elkin himself raised a critical question from the witness stand: if the police investigated him during the affair, why did the prosecution ignore him for four years while he was in the opposition? Netanyahu's lawyers seized on this, suggesting the prosecution's failure to call Elkin as a state witness stemmed from a fear that his testimony would prove these connections were common practice and contradict their case.