Netanyahu took the stand for about 4 hours and can resume testifying on Wednesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken the stand for the primary time in his long-running corruption trial, rejecting what he described as “absurd” allegations towards him.
Appearing at a crowded courtroom in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, the embattled Israeli chief mentioned the costs levelled towards him had been an “an ocean of absurdity”.
Israel’s longest-serving prime minister faces expenses of bribery, fraud and breach of public belief in three separate circumstances. He has persistently denied any wrongdoing.
He took the stand for about 4 hours and can resume testifying on Wednesday. His navy secretary twice handed him written messages, the primary time requiring a recess and underscoring his having to do double obligation as prime minister.
He attacked the Israeli media for what he referred to as its leftist stance and accused journalists of getting hounded him for years as a result of his insurance policies didn’t align with a push for a Palestinian state.
“I’ve been ready for eight years for this second to inform the reality,” Netanyahu advised the three-judge court docket. “But I’m additionally a primary minister … I’m main the nation by way of a seven-front warfare. And I feel the 2 could be completed in parallel.”
Netanyahu’s look on the trial comes as Israel continues its assault on the besieged Gaza Strip amid hovering tensions within the area.
Critics have accused the prime minister of extending Israel’s 14-month assault on the besieged Gaza Strip to take care of his keep in energy. They additionally say he’s blocking a ceasefire deal that would launch dozens of Israeli captives held in Gaza.
Outside the court docket, dozens of protesters gathered, together with members of the households of captives held in Gaza.
Israel’s offensive on Gaza has killed greater than 44,500 individuals, principally girls and kids, based on Palestinian well being authorities.
Three circumstances
Israel’s prime minister is on trial in three separate circumstances which had been filed in 2019 – Case 1000, Case 2000, and Case 4000.
Netanyahu stands of accused of accepting luxurious presents from a billionaire Hollywood producer in trade for help with private enterprise pursuits.
He can also be charged with allegedly looking for regulatory favours for media tycoons in return for beneficial information protection.
His testimony follows years of scandals which have swirled round him and his household, who’ve gained a popularity of having fun with a lavish life-style at Israeli taxpayers’ expense.
Since the trial started in 2020, the court docket has heard prosecution witnesses within the three circumstances, together with a few of Netanyahu’s former aides, who’ve turned state witnesses.
The prosecution has tried to painting the prime minister as an image-obsessed chief who broke the regulation to enhance his public notion.
The testimony, set to happen six hours a day, three days per week for a number of weeks, will take up a major quantity of Netanyahu’s time, prompting critics to ask if he can capably handle a rustic embroiled in a warfare on a number of fronts.
A verdict will not be anticipated till 2026, on the earliest, and Netanyahu can have the choice to enchantment to the Supreme Court.
