Israeli Judges Maintain Stance on Netanyahu Corruption Case After His Testimony

Three years after initially recommending dropping the bribery charge in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Case 4000, the judges reaffirmed their position following Netanyahu's lengthy testimony. On Monday, the panel, led by Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman, stated their stance remained unchanged since June 2023, signaling that Netanyahu will likely still face charges of fraud and breach of trust, though not bribery. Friedman-Feldman delivered this update with characteristic restraint, avoiding any indication of bias amid the highly contentious trial.

The announcement came after Netanyahu's year-and-a-half-long testimony and before a series of defense witnesses are expected to testify. The court recently decided to accelerate the trial pace to five sessions per week, a move opposed by Netanyahu's lawyer Amit Hadad, who warned the trial might extend beyond Friedman-Feldman's tenure. Legal experts interpret the judges' statement as an attempt to push toward concluding the case.

While the prosecution had hoped to prove bribery, the charges Netanyahu is likely to be convicted of, fraud and breach of trust, carry serious consequences, including potential imprisonment and public disgrace. Former senior prosecutor Yuval Kaplinsky suggested the judges' early public stance was an unusual move intended to encourage plea negotiations, though he doubts Netanyahu will agree to any deal that requires him to relinquish power.

Kaplinsky also criticized the judges for possibly underestimating the political implications of their statement, predicting Netanyahu and his supporters will use it to claim a fabricated case. Retired Judge Sara Haviv expressed disappointment that the judges refrained from fully engaging with the bribery charge, arguing their role is to judge impartially and manage the trial efficiently. She warned that public comments by the judges fuel conspiracy theories and hinder the legal process.

The trial remains ongoing, with the prosecution and defense preparing for closing arguments after all testimonies are heard. The judges' reaffirmation of their position marks a significant moment in the high-profile case that continues to captivate Israeli society.