Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived punctually at 10 a.m. to testify for the first time in his corruption trial in a Tel Aviv court, which has a bomb-proof bunker for security reasons.
“Shirking? I have been waiting for this day for eight years to come forward with the truth, to blow up the delusional and baseless accusations against me, and to reveal the method of this witch-hunt,” the prime minister said last night at a rare press conference in which he lashed out at several journalists.
The first to speak was the Prime Minister's lawyer, Atty Amir Haddad, who described the accusations against his client as absurd and said he was being investigated for trying to obtain decent media coverage, which in his opinion does not constitute a crime.
In his first statement, Amir Haddad referred to cases 4000 and 2000, which link telecommunications businessmen to whom he allegedly granted favors in exchange for coverage that would benefit their image.
Outside the courthouse, around 200 people gathered, including left-wing protesters calling for Netanyahu's resignation, right-wing supporters and representatives of the families of Hamas hostages in Gaza.
Responding to Netanyahu's call, Transport Minister Miri Regev and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir appeared before the court, along with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and several Likud MKs, including Shlomo Karhi, Avichay Boaron, Osnat Mark and Tali Gotliv.
Also present in the room is the far-right politician Almog Cohen, who frequently appears on the talk shows defending the Prime Minister.
Upon arriving at the court, Netanyahu, who did not enter through the main entrance, greeted those who came to the courtroom to express their support.
Before his arrival, Ben Gvir told reporters he was there to express his support for the prime minister, who he said was the target of a “campaign of persecution.”
"What I want to say is very simple: it is clear to everyone that he is fabricating accusations," he said.
Earlier, Culture Minister Miki Zohar suggested in a statement that the trial against Netanyahu puts hostages held in Gaza at risk.
This is the first time that the Prime Minister has appeared to testify in relation to the three cases in which he has been under investigation for the past five years, in which he is accused of alleged bribery, fraud and breach of trust, in events that occurred between 2007 and 2019.
In 2021, the prime minister appeared in court after a postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic, and on that occasion he pleaded not guilty, but will now answer questions from the defence and prosecution for the first time.
At the outset of the trial, it was established that around 300 witnesses would testify; to date, 140 have done so.
Netanyahu repeatedly asked to delay his testimony, arguing that the security situation in Israel prevented him from complying with the court's requirements, which include three weekly appearances of at least six hours each.
His lawyers requested that they be reduced to twice a week, but the request was denied. EFE
Netanyahu arrives at Tel Aviv court to testify in his corruption case
