Netanyahu appears at Jerusalem courthouse as corruption trial begins
Facing a panel of three judges, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the first incumbent leader of Israel to stand trial.
Entering the Jerusalem District Court today for the opening of his trial, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed corruption charges against him and attacked elements within Israel’s political left, the police and state prosecution. Netanyahu described the charges he faces as "slanderous and delusional,' stating that "the objective is to topple a strong prime minister from the rightist camp and thus to remove the right wing from leadership for many years.' He also demanded that the court sessions be broadcast live.
Israel’s prime minister was indicted last January in three separate cases for fraud, bribery and breach of trust, almost four years after the start of police investigations against him in June 2016. His trial was originally set to open on March 17, shortly after the March 2 elections, but was delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak and the ensuing restrictions on the operation of the courts.
