Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appeared before the District Court in Tel Aviv for the 88th time as his long-running corruption trial continues, marking another major milestone in a legal battle that has stretched since 2020.
Tuesday’s hearing, which was shortened after approval by the court due to what Israeli media described as his “security and political schedule,” focused primarily on Case 2000, following the conclusion of his cross-examination in Cases 1000 and 4000.
Netanyahu is facing a series of serious allegations spanning three separate corruption files Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000 covering charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The indictments were formally filed in November 2019, setting off one of the most consequential legal proceedings in Israel’s political history.
In Case 1000, prosecutors allege that Netanyahu and members of his family received expensive gifts, including luxury items, from wealthy businessmen in exchange for political favours. Case 2000 centres on an alleged agreement between Netanyahu and Arnon Mozes, publisher of the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, in which favourable media coverage was reportedly exchanged for legislation that could weaken a competing newspaper.
The most severe allegation comes from Case 4000, which accuses Netanyahu of granting regulatory benefits worth hundreds of millions of shekels to Shaul Elovitch, the former owner of the Walla news website and a senior figure at telecommunications giant Bezeq, in return for positive media coverage.
Throughout the proceedings, Netanyahu has consistently denied all wrongdoing, insisting that the charges form part of a politically motivated campaign aimed at removing him from office. His legal team maintains that all decisions taken during his time in government were lawful and in the national interest.
Under Israeli law, a presidential pardon requires an admission of guilt something Netanyahu has refused to do. Israeli President Isaac Herzog has so far declined external pressure to intervene, including repeated calls from former United States President Donald Trump, stating that any decision must strictly follow legal procedures.
Beyond the domestic courtroom, Netanyahu also faces international legal pressure. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him in 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the Gaza conflict, where the death toll has reportedly exceeded 72,000 since the war began in October 2023.
The combined weight of domestic corruption proceedings and international legal scrutiny continues to place Netanyahu at the centre of one of the most closely watched political and legal dramas in the world today.
