Corruption trial hearings postponed for Israel’s Netanyahu

Following a request from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a Jerusalem court partly agreed to postpone his corruption trial hearings, Radio France Internationale reported on June 29th.

Netanyahu, who was due to appear in court on June 30th and July 2nd over long-standing corruption allegations, successfully secured the cancellation of these sessions. Amit Hadad, cited the escalating situation in the Middle East, including the war with Iran and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as grounds for the deferral.

In his plea to the court, Hadad argued that the Prime Minister was “obliged to devote all his time and energy to addressing national, diplomatic, and security issues of the utmost importance.” The tribunal made its decision after hearing from the heads of Israel’s military intelligence and Mossad on the morning of June 29th.

Previously, US President Donald Trump publicly opposed the continuation of Netanyahu’s trial, claiming the Prime Minister’s focus on sensitive negotiations with Hamas, particularly over hostage releases, made his courtroom presence impossible. Netanyahu expressed gratitude to Trump following his remarks, according to the BBC on June 26th.

The trial, which began in May 2020, involves multiple allegations. Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, stand accused of accepting luxury gifts worth over $260,000 from wealthy businessmen in return for political favours. He also faces charges of attempting to secure favourable media coverage from two Israeli outlets.

Radio France Internationale, Maghrebi.org, BBC