Netanyahu Testifies in His Trial, Requests Early Conclusion Due to Security Discussion

Early Conclusion of Testimony

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testified today in his ongoing trial, known as Case 4000, and requested to conclude his testimony earlier than scheduled due to a security discussion in Jerusalem. Netanyahu’s statement was set to wrap up at 3:00 PM, ahead of the planned timeline, to accommodate urgent security matters.

Key Points from the Testimony

During the proceedings, Netanyahu was cross-examined by attorney Jacques Chen, who represents defendants Shaul and Iris Elovitch. The questioning focused on allegations regarding campaign support through the news site “start.” When asked whether he had been offered any “extraordinary” benefits for his campaign on the platform, Netanyahu responded, “No start approached me.”

Allegations of Bias

Netanyahu further elaborated that he had not communicated with former start CEO Ilan Yeshua prior to the March 2015 elections. He noted that the prevailing impression was that the news site supported former defense minister Naftali Bennett, stating, “start conducted a substantial campaign in favor of Bennett.”

Additionally, the Prime Minister claimed that, leading up to the elections, start echoed negative narratives against him, which he described as central to the campaign strategy of the Likud party. “The campaign was to set Bennett aside, and had it been the other way around, it would have played out differently,” he remarked.

Netanyahu’s trial, which has gained considerable public and media attention, continues to unfold amid a backdrop of political tension and security issues in the region.

As the trial progresses, updates are sure to follow, reflecting the intricate dynamics between media, politics, and the judicial system in Israel