Israeli Judges Recommend Dropping Bribery Charge Against Netanyahu, Prosecutors Face Crucial Decision

In the ongoing trial of former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, judges have reaffirmed their recommendation to the prosecution to drop the bribery charge in Case 4000. During a court session on June 29, 2026, Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman stated that the court's position, initially expressed on June 20, 2023, remains unchanged despite extensive hearings and cross-examinations. The judges concluded that the bribery charge does not hold up based on the indictment and evidence presented.

Legal experts have weighed in on the implications of this stance. Attorney Ofer Bartal, a white-collar crime specialist, described the judges' statement as dramatic, emphasizing that after hearing all testimonies and Netanyahu's cross-examination, the court is signaling it will not convict Netanyahu of bribery. Bartal noted that the prosecution is not obligated to follow the judges' recommendation and might consider appealing to the Supreme Court to uphold the bribery charge.

Conversely, attorney Ilan Bombach, who represents Netanyahu in related Supreme Court petitions, urged the prosecution to heed the judges' advice and drop the bribery charge. He criticized the prosecution for persistent failures in investigation and case construction and called for a thorough reassessment rather than continuing to defend a weakened charge. Bombach highlighted that the bribery charge is the cornerstone of the indictment and that its collapse would significantly undermine the case.

The prosecution faces a critical decision on whether to amend the indictment in line with the court's recommendation or to maintain the bribery charge and potentially pursue an appeal. This moment is seen as a pivotal test of the prosecution's willingness to adapt to judicial feedback and the evidentiary realities of the case.

The trial, which has attracted significant public and institutional attention, continues to unfold amid these legal and procedural challenges, with the bribery charge at the heart of the controversy.