Benjamin Netanyahu's trial resumes; corruption cases and charges

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: The break came after multiple requests for postponement, including due to the war with Iran and secret meetings with security officials.

 

Netanyahu faces charges of corruption, bribery and breach of trust in three cases, with a formal indictment issued against him in November 2023:

 

Netanyahu and his wife are accused of receiving expensive personal gifts from businessman and film producer Arnon Milchin, including luxury cigarettes and bottles of champagne. In return, Netanyahu had tried to consult with the US government to extend Milchin’s stay in the US and also to increase tax benefits for settlers returning to occupied Palestine. The prosecution began questioning Netanyahu in the case on June 3.

 

Netanyahu is accused of negotiating with Arnon Mozes, the publisher of the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, to obtain positive media coverage.

 

The case, which prosecutors consider the most important in terms of evidence, accuses Netanyahu of granting extensive financial facilities to the Bezeq telecommunications company in exchange for favorable media coverage on the Vala website. The judges had previously recommended that the bribery charge be dropped from the case.

 

Netanyahu recently changed his position on the case of leaking classified security documents, which was published in November 2024. He initially denied the leak of the documents, claiming to have learned about it through the media, but has now announced that he was “fully aware of the details.” The change in position came after the Israeli cabinet’s legal advisor decided to hold a hearing for Netanyahu’s media advisor, Yonatan Orich, for security breaches and leaking classified information.

 

In response to the decision, Netanyahu attacked the cabinet’s legal advisor, describing the move as baseless and politically motivated, and claiming that no harm had been done to Israel’s security.