Netanyahu in court for corruption case
Last Updated on December 11, 2024 6:00 am
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went to court for the first time in a corruption case. He has been summoned several times before, but he has not responded.
Netanyahu finally appeared in court on Tuesday. At that time, anti-Netanyahu protesters were seen outside the court. Earlier, at a press conference on Monday evening, Netanyahu said, “I will speak in court. I am not running away. I have been waiting for this day for eight years. I will try to dismantle these absurd and baseless charges against me.”
The cases brought against Netanyahu were filed in 2019. The cases are Case 1000, Case 2000 and Case 4000. The charges include bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu has denied all the charges.
He claimed that it was a conspiracy carried out by political opponents and the media. In the Case 1000 (Gifts Affair) case, Netanyahu is charged with fraud and breach of trust.
The indictment alleges that Netanyahu and his wife Sara accepted lavish gifts from two wealthy businessmen. The businessmen are Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer. The gifts included champagne and cigars. Case 2000 (Media Contracts) The indictment alleges that Netanyahu made a deal with Aaron Moses, owner of the Israeli newspaper Idiot Ahronoth.
It involved a plan to enact legislation to limit the circulation of rival newspaper Israel Hayom in exchange for favorable news coverage for Netanyahu. Case 4000 (Telecom Corruption) The indictment alleges that Netanyahu granted regulatory privileges to the telecom company Bezeq. In return, Bezeq’s owner, Shaul Elovitch, gave favorable news coverage to Netanyahu and his wife.
The indictment alleges that these privileges ensured huge financial profits for Bezeq. These cases are a major challenge to Netanyahu’s political career.