Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to face the resumption of his ongoing trial on multiple corruption charges, following a hiatus prompted by the conflict in Gaza.
According to reports from Israeli media, a court in Jerusalem will commence the proceedings on Monday, focusing on the corruption charges filed against Netanyahu. The trial had been temporarily halted by an emergency order from the country's justice minister in response to Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7. The toll in Gaza continues to rise, with at least 15,899 Palestinians killed so far. In Israel, the official death toll stands at about 1,200.
Netanyahu is facing charges of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust in three cases filed in 2019, known as Case 1000, 2000, and 4000.
In Case 1000, the prime minister, along with his wife Sara, is accused of receiving gifts, such as champagne and cigars, from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire businessman James Packer in exchange for political favours.
Critics argue that Netanyahu is attempting to undermine the courts and reform the judicial system to find an escape route from his trial—an assertion he dismisses as untrue.
The corruption charges have also been central to a prolonged political crisis, leading Israelis to the polls five times in less than four years. Each election essentially served as a referendum on Netanyahu's fitness to govern. Despite losing power in 2021 to a coalition of opponents, Netanyahu returned as prime minister late last year, defying his legal troubles. According to Israeli law, the prime minister is not obligated to step aside while on trial.
