Israel’s PM Netanyahu in court to testify in corruption trial

A demonstrator holds up a placard with Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu behind bars and read in Italian words “criminal against humanity, lets arrest him now” during a rally in support to Palestinians in Rome on November 30, 2024. Agence France-Presse

TEL AVIV — Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in court in Tel Aviv on Tuesday to testify for the first time in his corruption case.

Netanyahu, who has repeatedly sought to delay his appearance in court, is the first sitting prime minister of Israel to face a criminal trial.

He faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of public trust in three separate cases.

READ: Trial of Prime Minister Netanyahu resumes in Tel Aviv

At Tuesday’s hearing, the Israeli premier is expected to take the witness stand for the first time, responding to the allegations and testimonies made against him, including from former close aides.

Several people, including anti-Netanyahu protesters and his supporters, gathered outside the court, while some right-wing lawmakers attended the session, which was held in an underground chamber for security reasons.

An AFP journalist outside the court reported that the prime minister’s supporters chanted “Netanyahu, the people support you”, while protesters who have been rallying against him for months chanted “Bibi to prison”.

READ: Netanyahu is set to take the witness stand for the first time in his corruption trial in Israel

“I will speak in court. I am not running away,” Netanyahu said at a press conference Monday evening.

“It has been eight years that I have waited for this day, eight years of wanting to present the truth, eight years waiting to completely demolish these absurd and baseless accusations against me,” he said, labeling it a “relentless witch hunt”.