HOT Israeli prime minister goes to court for the first time

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appeared in court in Tel Aviv, marking his first appearance in court over corruption allegations.


Netanyahu, who has repeatedly sought to delay his appearance, today became Israel's first sitting prime minister to face a criminal trial, appearing in a courtroom in Tel Aviv. The charges against him include accepting bribes, fraud and discrediting the public, in three cases.

Protesters and Netanyahu's supporters gathered outside the courthouse. Supporters chanted "Netanyahu, the people support you", while protesters shouted "Put Bibi in jail". Bibi is the nickname of Prime Minister Netanyahu.

After hostilities between Israel and Hamas broke out in October 2023, the trial of the Israeli Prime Minister was postponed. However, after more than a year, judges last week decided he must appear in court.

"I will speak in court and I will not evade," Netanyahu said at a news conference on Dec. 9, adding that he had waited too long to speak out about his story, while expressing outrage at the way witnesses were treated during the investigation

According to the court, Netanyahu will have to appear in court three times a week, despite the war in Gaza and new risks that may arise due to the unstable situation in the Middle East, including neighboring Syria.

Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 in three cases involving gifts from millionaire friends and allegedly favoring media moguls for favorable coverage. He denies all allegations, saying the cases against him are a "witch hunt".

Netanyahu, 75, has been Israel's longest-serving leader since 2009. His legal troubles were exacerbated last month, when the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for him and former defense minister Yoav Gallant on charges of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict in Gaza.