Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due for the first time on his corruption trial.
The accusations have divided the Israeli public at a time of turmoil in the Middle East. See below what is known about the case:
What are the charges?
Netanyahu went on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust – all of which he denies.
The trial began in 2020 and involves three criminal cases of which he
Prosecutors allege that Netanyahu granted regulatory favors worth about 1.8 billion shekels, about $500 million, to Bezeq Telecom Israel.
In exchange, the indictment states that he sought positive coverage of himself and his wife Sara on a news website controlled by the company’s former president, Shaul Elovitch. In this case, Netanyahu was accused of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
Netanyahu was charged with fraud and breach of trust over allegations that he and his wife improperly received nearly 700,000 shekels, about $210,000, in gifts from Arnon Milchan, a Hollywood producer and Israeli citizen, and Australian billionaire businessman James Packer.
Prosecutors said the gifts included champagne and cigars and that Netanyahu helped Milchan with his business interests. Packer and Milchan do not face charges.
Netanyahu reportedly negotiated a deal with Arnon Mozes, owner of the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, for better coverage in exchange for legislation to slow the growth of a rival newspaper. Netanyahu was accused of fraud and breach of trust.
Will a verdict come soon?
It’s unlikely. Unless Netanyahu seeks a plea deal, it could be many months before the judges rule.
Can he be tried and remain in office?
Under Israeli law, a prime minister is under no obligation to resign unless convicted. If he or she appeals the conviction, he or she can keep the position throughout the process.
Can he go to jail?
Bribery charges carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years and/or a fine. Fraud and breach of trust are punishable by up to three years in prison.
What is the impact of the case?
Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Gaza war wiped Netanyahu’s trial from the public agenda, as Israelis united in grief and trauma.
Before the war, Netanyahu’s legal troubles divided the population and shook Israeli politics in five rounds of elections.
Following Netanyahu’s decisive victory at the polls in 2022, his government launched a judicial campaign to restrict the court’s powers.
This triggered mass protests in Israel and fears among Western allies for the country’s democratic health.
Netanyahu denied any link between judicial reform and his trial. He largely abandoned the plan after the war began, but has revived anti-judiciary rhetoric in recent weeks.
