Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday to provide testimony in a trial where he faces multiple serious charges, including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust linked to three distinct cases.
The ongoing trial has occurred against the backdrop of continuing conflict in Gaza, which has further complicated the situation for Netanyahu, who is Israel’s longest-serving prime minister. Despite his repeated pleas to postpone his testimony due to the current regional instability, the courts have largely denied his requests.
The trial, which commenced in May 2020, was preceded by years of investigation culminating in the announcement of indictments by the Justice Ministry in 2019. This will mark Netanyahu’s first time testifying in this case, although he has made previous court appearances. His critics have accused him of prolonging the hostilities in Gaza while delaying potential ceasefire negotiations that could lead to the release of approximately 100 hostages held in the region since the Hamas attack began in October 2023.
The scandals surrounding Netanyahu have not only affected him personally but have also implicated his family and close associates. At least three former aides have become state witnesses against him, as the prime minister vigorously contests the allegations, framing them as a politically motivated witch hunt by the media and legal authorities.
Furthermore, Netanyahu and his wife Sara have gained notoriety in Israel for reportedly leading an extravagant lifestyle financed by taxpayer money. As the testimony is expected to last for several weeks, a ruling in the case may not occur until 2026. If he is found guilty, Netanyahu retains the option to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, which could further extend the resolution of these legal battles.
The allegations against Netanyahu can be categorized into three main cases:
**Telecom Trade-off**
The most significant accusation involves an influence-peddling scandal, in which two former aides have testified against Netanyahu. They claim he favored regulatory measures that benefitted the Bezeq telecommunications company in exchange for favorable media coverage on Walla, a news site owned by the company.
Former spokesperson Nir Hefetz and Shlomo Filber, who once directed the Communications Ministry under Netanyahu, reached plea deals after being arrested alongside Bezeq’s controlling shareholder and other executives. Earlier journalists from Walla have mentioned being pressured not to report negatively about Netanyahu. The charges related to this case encompass bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
**Lavish Gifts**
In another case, Netanyahu faces allegations of accepting nearly $200,000 worth of gifts from prominent individuals, including Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer.
In exchange for what has been termed a “supply line” of luxury gifts such as cigars and expensive jewelry, prosecutors argue that Netanyahu intervened on Milchan’s behalf regarding U.S. visa applications, sought favorable tax legislation, and advanced his interests within the Israeli media landscape. Packer, who was purportedly seeking Israeli residency for tax reasons, is also accused of gifting cigars and champagne to Netanyahu. The prime minister has insisted that these were simply gifts from friends. A former aide, Ari Harow, is a state witness for this case, which includes charges of fraud and breach of trust.
**Media Meddling**
The third case concerns allegations that Netanyahu offered favorable legislation to a newspaper publisher to undermine a competitor’s position in exchange for better coverage. He was reportedly recorded discussing with Arnon Mozes, the publisher of the Yediot Ahronot daily, how he would assist in weakening Israel Hayom, a free newspaper that is pro-Netanyahu and financed by the late American billionaire, Sheldon Adelson.
Netanyahu highlights that an attempted bill to weaken Israel Hayom was never passed and that his previous coalition was disbanded due to his resistance to such proposals. Harow also serves as a state witness in this case. Reports have indicated that Adelson’s wife testified about Sara Netanyahu pressuring her for gifts and positive media coverage, with charges continuing to involve fraud and breach of trust.
