Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has requested to postpone his testimony in an ongoing corruption trial, prompting criticism that he is attempting to prolong the case to delay a potential verdict and possible jail time.
A Jerusalem court is currently reviewing charges of bribery and fraud against Mr. Netanyahu, with the trial having commenced in 2020. Key sessions of testimony from the prime minister are scheduled for December. He denies the allegations, which assert that he leveraged his influence to assist prominent businessmen in exchange for gifts and favorable media coverage.
On Sunday night, Mr. Netanyahu's legal team submitted a request to the court to delay his appearance by two and a half months, citing the prime minister's preoccupation with governing during wartime and the need for additional time to prepare his defense, as stated by Amit Hadad, one of his lawyers.
Critics argue that Mr. Netanyahu's motives are self-serving, with opposition leader Yair Golan asserting in a radio interview that the prime minister's primary concern is avoiding prison. "Besides that, there is no other real consideration," Golan remarked.
This request coincides with Mr. Netanyahu facing separate allegations involving his office's officials. Investigators are looking into claims that his aides leaked sensitive intelligence to the media and altered official records of phone conversations related to the war, according to unnamed officials familiar with the investigations. Mr. Netanyahu has dismissed these allegations as "fake news" aimed at undermining his authority during a critical time for Israel.
The situation has intensified a longstanding debate within Israeli society regarding Mr. Netanyahu's integrity, contributing to five elections in under four years and ongoing street protests. Supporters of the prime minister contend that the trial is a politically motivated effort to remove him from power through legal means rather than electoral processes.
Conversely, critics, including former allies, assert that the trial is a legitimate pursuit of accountability for alleged misconduct, arguing that Mr. Netanyahu's decision to remain in office while facing trial indicates a prioritization of personal interests over national welfare.
Recent allegations against Mr. Netanyahu's aides have further fueled this criticism. One aide, currently under arrest, is accused of leaking classified documents to a foreign news outlet, allegedly to generate public opposition to a cease-fire in Gaza. This opposition aligns with Mr. Netanyahu's interests, as a truce could jeopardize his coalition government, with some far-right lawmakers threatening to resign if Hamas was not fully defeated.
Additionally, police are investigating claims that officials in the prime minister's office tampered with records of phone calls made by Mr. Netanyahu on the first day of the war, which could be significant in assessing the failures of Israeli leadership to prevent the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Former defense minister Yoav Gallant stated that his call for an independent investigation into security failures was a factor in his dismissal from the cabinet last week. Mr. Netanyahu has maintained that any inquiry should wait until the conclusion of the war.
While Mr. Netanyahu's office declined to comment on the article, he has publicly denied the allegations and portrayed himself as a victim of double standards. In a recent statement, he questioned the lack of investigations into what he described as a "tsunami of leaks" from other sources during the war, including discussions about cabinet meetings and negotiations with Hamas.
Mr. Netanyahu emphasized, "We know exactly what’s going on here. This is an organized manhunt meant to undermine the state’s leadership and weaken us at the height of the war."