Netanyahu to testify in corruption trial next month: What's the case about?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will face the court on December 2 to testify for his corruption trial. The date of the trial was fixed days after the court rejected his request to further postpone the matter.

A report by Channel 12 quoted political analyst Amit Segal, an ally of the prime minister, as saying that Netanyahu will no longer seek any postponement. His team was reportedly putting off the trial as Netanyahu had been unable to prepare for his testimony owing to the ongoing conflict.

The court, however, was not convinced and argued that it had given ample time to the prime minister to draft his testimony as the hearing was listed in July.

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What is the case?

Trouble started brewing for Netanyahu in 2016 when it was claimed that the prime minister was owing favours from wealthy businessmen in exchange for gifts.

Authorities accused Bibi of receiving cigars, Champagne, bracelets, bags and luxury clothes. He also allegedly meddled in investigative and judicial proceedings for favours.

Two years later in 2018, the police recommended prosecuting the Israeli leader and the very next year he was indicted. The trial began in 2020.

What are the charges?

The corruption trial merges three distinct cases that Netanyahu is accused of, referred to as Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000.

Case 1000 alleges that the Israeli PM accepted nearly $300,000 in gifts from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and the Australian billionaire James Packer in exchange for pushing the Finance Ministry to extend the period of a tax exemption for expatriate Israelis, such as the producer, upon their return to the country from abroad.

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Case 2000 involves Netanyahu discussing a quid pro quo arrangement with the publisher of Israel’s leading newspaper Yediot Aharonot for extensive positive coverage.

Case 4000 accuses a telecom mogul named Shaul Elovitch in the hope that Bibi would not obstruct his business interests in the country.