Tel Aviv – An Israeli court has granted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request to shorten his questioning session today, Monday, in his ongoing corruption trial. The Prime Minister cited a prior commitment to an unspecified “political meeting” as the reason for the request.
Netanyahu appeared before the court to address accusations in Case 4000, which centers on allegations that he provided favors to Shaul Elovitch, the former owner of the Walla news website and a senior official at Bezeq telecommunications company, in exchange for positive media coverage.
According to reports, Netanyahu told the court, “I am not saying that media coverage is not important to me, but not in the way you are presenting it.” The court reportedly agreed to cut short today’s session following Netanyahu’s request. Reports indicate that the session, initially scheduled to last six hours, concluded earlier than planned.
Last week, the court also approved the cancellation of another hearing for Netanyahu, citing “security reasons.” However, he was later seen touring the buffer zone in southern Syria, a visit that Damascus condemned as “illegitimate.”
Netanyahu has repeatedly sought to shorten or cancel court sessions, citing travel, “security and political circumstances,” and his involvement in the Israeli operation in Gaza, which has continued despite a ceasefire agreement signed last month.
The Prime Minister faces three major corruption cases:
- Case 4000: Favoritism in exchange for positive media coverage.
- Case 1000: Accepting valuable gifts from businessmen in exchange for services.
- Case 2000: Negotiating with Arnon Mozes, publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, for favorable media coverage.
Netanyahu denies all charges, claiming they are politically motivated. He maintains his innocence and insists the investigations are a witch hunt designed to remove him from power.
