The criminal corruption trial hearing of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was cut short on Tuesday due to “security developments,” as Hamas had sent late Monday night more remains of a hostage, who had already been returned and buried in Israel, and Netanyahu later convened a meeting with security officials to chart Israel’s response.
The truncated hearing, which had been anticipated to delve into Netanyahu’s interactions with Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan, including alleged efforts to assist Milchan with regulatory issues related to Channel 10, was halted three hours earlier than scheduled.
The decision was made after the prime minister informed the Jerusalem District Court judges of the situation in a closed-door session, which his attorneys requested upon the start of the hearing.
Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 on the charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three cases: 1000, 2000, and 4000. He pleaded not guilty to all three, and the trial began in 2020.
Case 1000 centers on allegations that Netanyahu and his family received luxury gifts from Milchan and other wealthy benefactors in exchange for political favors, including pushing for certain pieces of legislation that would have been beneficial to the Hollywood mogul.
Milchan previously testified that he had provided an ongoing supply of cigars, champagne, and other items to the Netanyahu family, largely at their request.
Netanyahu denies cigars, champagne were part of an exchange
Netanyahu has said that these were gifts and were in no way an exchange of any sort. New information received on Tuesday indicated that Milchan had repeatedly offered to join him in business, the prime minister said in his testimony.
The abrupt halt to the proceedings has added to the already intense atmosphere surrounding the trial. The prosecution has previously challenged Netanyahu’s credibility, pointing to numerous instances where he claimed not to remember key events.
The unexpected interruption has left many questions unanswered and has intensified public and political scrutiny of the trial. As the legal proceedings continue, the implications of Netanyahu’s testimony and the surrounding events remain a focal point in Israeli politics.
Within the audience are, ordinarily, supporters and detractors of the prime minister, who, during the breaks, will either address Netanyahu or verbally scuffle with each other. In an unusual occurrence, a supporter named Mordechai David appeared threatening to several journalists.
After he was removed and returned to the hall, he apologized to two of them, but harassed them again later outside of the courthouse, threatening to “block their cars.”