An Israeli court on Wednesday rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request to delay his testimony in a corruption trial, ruling that he must appear on December 2, despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Lebanon.
The situation has the potential to further polarize public opinion in Israel, as Netanyahu's legal issues have consistently divided the nation. Supporters argue that a liberal deep state is attempting to remove him through judicial means, while opponents demand his resignation, suggesting he is prolonging the conflict to maintain his position.
Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust across three interrelated cases at the Jerusalem District Court. He has denied all allegations, which revolve around claims that he provided favors to wealthy individuals in exchange for gifts and favorable media coverage.
The trial has been ongoing since 2020, with the court reviewing over 300 witnesses. The court's recent ruling followed a previous postponement of Netanyahu's testimony and swiftly dismissed an additional request for a further 10-week delay.
In his defense, Netanyahu asserted that wartime responsibilities hindered his ability to prepare for the trial, although he has previously maintained that he can serve as prime minister while facing legal proceedings.
The judges stated that the decision to maintain the December testimony date had considered the ongoing conflict and other factors. The state prosecution emphasized the necessity for a prompt resolution to uphold the principle of equality before the law.
The judges noted, “We have not been convinced of any significant change in circumstances that would justify changing the date.”
Netanyahu's legal team has not yet commented on the ruling, and a spokesperson for the prime minister declined to provide a statement.
Following the court's decision, Netanyahu's office released a photograph of him meeting with partners of reserve soldiers in the Parliament building.
Meanwhile, investigators are examining whether Netanyahu's aides leaked sensitive intelligence and manipulated official records of phone conversations. Netanyahu has labeled these allegations as a selective investigation and criticized the media's coverage of the leaks.
In a recent video statement, he claimed, “This is an organized hunt meant to damage the country’s leadership and weaken us in the midst of a war.”