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Israeli prime minister’s corruption trial set to open Netanyahu heads to court as 1st sitting Israeli PM on trial
(about 2 hours later)
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial was set to begin Sunday, the first criminal proceedings against a seated Israeli premier that come just as the long-serving leader returned to power after months of political deadlock. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was heading to court Sunday to face corruption charges in the first criminal trial ever against a sitting Israeli leader.
Netanyahu, who is set to appear at the opening hearing at a Jerusalem court, is accused of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases. He has denied any wrongdoing, and has dismissed the charges against him as a “witch hunt” by media and law enforcement. Netanyahu is set to appear at the opening hearing at a Jerusalem district court, after his request to have his lawyers represent him instead was rejected. The courthouse is expected to draw crowds of supporters, protesters and media hoping to witness Netanyahu enter the building, where he will hear the arraignment against him.
Netanyahu and his allies have spent months lashing out the country’s law enforcement system, and the charges against him have riven the nation. Police were prepared for potential demonstrations in support of and against the prime minister outside the District Court in east Jerusalem where the trial will take place. Several of Netanyahu’s Likud party ministers, including the newly appointed minister responsible for police, said they would appear in the courtroom in support of the prime minister. The dramatic scene comes just days after the long-serving leader swore in his new government, breaking more than a year of political stalemate following three inconclusive elections.
Netanyahu’s court appearance Sunday comes after more than a year of political turmoil, with three inconclusive elections — each seen as a referendum on Netanyahu — finally ending last month when the Israeli leader and his main rival, former army chief Benny Gantz, came to a power-sharing deal. Netanyahu held his first Cabinet meeting with the new government just hours before heading to court. Neither he nor any of his ministers addressed the looming trial but the country’s outgoing religious affairs minister wished Netanyahu that “God will bring the truth out” at his trial.
They are set to hold their first Cabinet meeting just hours before the trial opens. Netanyahu faces charges of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes in a series of corruption cases stemming from ties to wealthy friends. He is accused of accepting lavish gifts and offering to grant favors to powerful media moguls in exchange for favorable coverage of him and his family. He denies the charges and has lashed out at the media, police, prosecution and courts of forging a conspiracy to oust him. It comes after years of scandals swirling around the family.
As part of their power-sharing deal, Netanyahu will remain prime minister for the next 18 months and will not be legally required to step down during his trial. Netanyahu and his allies have spent months lashing out the country’s law enforcement system, and the charges against him have deeply divided the nation. Police were preparing for potential demonstrations in support of and against the prime minister outside the District Court in east Jerusalem. Several of Netanyahu’s Likud party ministers, including the newly appointed internal security minister who overseas the police, said they would arrive to back him.
Last week the court ordered that Netanyahu appear for his arraignment, rejecting a request by his lawyers that the trial commence without him. Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused them of fomenting violence and trying to intimidate the judges. “Netanyahu is trying to drag us into a civil war to save himself from trial,” he told the YNet website.
Netanyahu’s trial was supposed to begin in March, but was delayed by his justice minister following restrictions imposed on the courts amid the coronavirus crisis. Netanyahu’s court appearance Sunday caps a three-year investigation. It also comes after more than a year of political turmoil, with three inconclusive elections — each seen as a referendum on Netanyahu — finally ending last month when the Israeli leader and his main rival, former army chief Benny Gantz, came to a power-sharing deal.
Netanyahu was indicted in November after a three-year investigation. He is alleged to have accepted lavish gifts from wealthy friends and traded favors with powerful media moguls for favorable coverage of him and his family. As part of their power-sharing deal, Netanyahu will remain prime minister for the next 18 months, and alternative prime minister for the 18 months after, and will not be legally required to step down during what is expected to be a lengthy trial.
Netanyahu’s proceedings were supposed to begin in March, but were delayed by his justice minister who issued restrictions on the courts amid the coronavirus crisis.
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.