Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will appear as a witness for the first time on Tuesday in his ongoing case over alleged fraud and corruption in Israel.
The trial comes as Netanyahu’s government manages several conflicts with Iran and its proxy terrorist groups, as well as the fall of the terror group. of former Syrian President Bashar Assad regime this weekend.
The corruption trial began in 2020, with prosecutors Accuse Netanyahu of exchanging regulatory favors for positive press coverage in under-the-table conversations with media moguls.
So far, about 140 witnesses have taken the stand in the trial, but that falls short of the 300 witnesses originally expected. Those witnesses include high-profile figures such as a former prime minister, former security chiefs and media personalities.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem. (OHAD ZWIGENBERG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Police have questioned Netanyahu and his wife several times about the allegations, but Tuesday will be the first time he will testify.
His testimony will be an arduous process expected to last weeks, with him testifying for hours three days a week. The defense has repeatedly tried to delay the prime minister’s testimony, but those efforts have failed.
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Critics have accused Netanyahu of provoking and even escalating Israel’s conflict with Hamas in an attempt to delay the legal process. The prosecutor dropped his case in July and a ruling is not expected until 2026, after which either side can appeal to the country’s Supreme Court.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with IDF commanders in Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor to discuss Hamas’ activities. (Photo provided by TPS)
However, Netanyahu is receiving more support in the International Criminal Court’s case against him American politicians who defends him amid accusations of war crimes. The Pentagon also said it “fundamentally rejects” the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
“We remain concerned about the prosecutor’s rush to issue arrest warrants and some of the processes that have unfolded,” Sabrina Singh, the Pentagon’s deputy press secretary, told reporters in November. “And again, we have been very clear that the ICC has no jurisdiction over this matter.”
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., defended Netanyahu against war crimes charges from the International Criminal Court. (Left: Andrew Harnik/Getty Image; Right: JACQUELYN MARTIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
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Several senior members of the Senate have said they would support sanctions against the ICC after it issued the arrest warrants.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
