Israeli premier appears before court for 65th time to answer corruption charges

JERUSALEM / ISTANBUL

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a trial session in Tel Aviv’s District Court on Tuesday to answer charges in his corruption case, according to local media.

Tuesday’s trial marked the 65th session in Netanyahu’s corruption cases during which the premier responded to charges brought against him in Case 4000, in which he is accused of bribery with Shaul Elovitch, a senior official at the Bezeq telecommunications company, Maariv newspaper reported.

The daily said Netanyahu and his family submitted “various demands to the Elovitch couple regarding the manner of coverage on the Walla news website."

Netanyahu requested a 30-minute recess at the start of the session to participate in a drill via Zoom “in preparation for a potential missile attack,” Maariv added.

Israeli media outlets say that Netanyahu exploits political and security meetings, travel, and phone calls as a means to avoid the courtroom.

In early December, Netanyahu submitted an official request to President Isaac Herzog to be pardoned of his corruption charges.

The request sparked divisions in Israel, as many opposed granting a pardon unless Netanyahu admits guilt and withdraws from political life.

The premier has repeatedly refused to admit guilt and recently stated that he will not quit politics in case of pardon of charges.

In January, Netanyahu began interrogation sessions related to corruption charges in cases designated 1000, 2000, and 4000, all of which he denies.

The Israeli prime minister also faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 over atrocities in Gaza, where nearly 71,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed since October 2023.