Aila Hasson Slams Netanyahu Trial as “Horrific Due Process Abuse”

Radio host Aila Hasson spoke on Thursday on Gali Yisrael about Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial after his testimony ended, calling it both a personal ordeal for Netanyahu and a burden on the entire country. She said Israel has been driven into repeated election campaigns and enormous costs, and argued that replacing a prime minister should happen only through elections. “Everyone will vote as they wish,” she said.

Hasson added that the law cannot be used unlawfully or discriminatorily, comparing the system to a teacher who favors one student and expels another for no reason. “The law is above all,” she said, arguing it must be applied fairly and properly. She said the case showed that “the most unclear lines imaginable” had been crossed.

Yotam Zimri, speaking in the same exchange, made a far sharper accusation, saying the institutions of law enforcement had “betrayed” the Israeli public and democracy and had acted in improper and vile ways to damage the democratic choice of Israel’s voters. Hasson later said she did not want to use his word because it is loaded and emotionally charged.

She also criticized the emotional tone of the courtroom and the public debate, saying there cannot be a prosecutor or journalist coming to the proceedings with “foam at the mouth.” She said it was unacceptable for a public employee to be so emotional and disrespectful toward the State Attorney’s Office, concluding, “It is shocking.”