After multiple attempts to circumvent the judicial process, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long-awaited trial will kick off today.

Israel’s longest-serving leader is facing a barrage of corruption charges that have haunted his administration since 2016. In Case 1000, investigators allege the prime minister and his wife Sarah accepted lavish gifts from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and billionaire James Packer. The gifts, including premium cigars, champagne, and jewelry worth thousands of dollars, far exceeded Knesset regulations for political officials. Prosecutors claim Netanyahu returned these favors by wielding his influence to assist Milchan with tax exemptions, regulatory matters, and even U.S. visa issues.

Join the JBN+ WhatsApp Group

The allegations deepen with Case 2000, where Netanyahu allegedly orchestrated a quid pro quo with Yediot Aharonot newspaper owner Arnon Mozes in exchange for favorable political coverage for himself and his inner circle.

Perhaps most damaging is Case 4000, where prosecutors allege Netanyahu, while serving as Communications Minister, offered regulatory benefits to Shaul Elovitch’s Bezeq telecommunications empire in exchange for positive coverage on the Bezeq-owned news site Walla.

The political fallout has been severe. Following his indictment in 2019 by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, Netanyahu was forced to surrender all ministerial portfolios except his prime ministerial position. His attempt to secure parliamentary immunity failed and has sparked a fresh crisis within Israel’s government.

Netanyahu’s security team has pushed for testimony to be held from a fortified bunker in Tel Aviv’s Kiriya base rather than the Jerusalem court, while debates rage over whether he should be deemed temporarily incapacitated during testimony – a move that would elevate Justice Minister Yariv Levin to acting prime minister.

If found guilty, Netanyahu faces more than just steep fines and potential prison time as a conviction could bar him from public office entirely. Despite these stakes, Netanyahu remained defiant at last night’s press conference, claiming he welcomes the opportunity to testify and dismiss the allegations.

“What lies,” he raged. “Eight years I’ve been waiting for this day. Eight years I’ve been waiting to present the truth. Eight years I’ve been waiting to puncture for good the wild and ridiculous accusations against me. Eight years I’ve been waiting to expose the method, a cruel witch hunt. There was no crime, so they looked for a crime. They didn’t find a crime, so they concocted a crime.”

Comments (0)