Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s testimony in his criminal trial resumed Monday morning at the Tel Aviv District Court building, with his cross-examination continuing in Case 2000, the media-bribery case involving Yediot Aharonot publisher Arnon “Noni” Mozes.
Shortly after the hearing began at its regular time, Netanyahu’s attorneys entered a meeting with presiding judges Rivka Friedman-Feldman, Moshe Bar-Am, and Oded Shaham. Following the meeting, the court said the hearing would end at 1:45 p.m. instead of 4:30 p.m. due to “security-diplomatic schedule reasons.”
Netanyahu was summoned to testify Monday through Wednesday this week, after last week’s testimony was repeatedly shortened or canceled at his request due to security and diplomatic needs, which were presented to the judges confidentially, including in closed meetings and through sealed material.
The prime minister is nearing the end of his testimony, after close to 90 hearings on the witness stand. The prosecution has estimated that only several full days of cross-examination remain, after which Netanyahu’s defense attorney is expected to conduct a shorter redirect examination.
The hearing comes as Netanyahu has yet to publicly respond to President Isaac Herzog’s offer to mediate negotiations toward a possible plea deal.
Netanyahu charged with fraud, breach of trust
Case 2000 centers on conversations between Netanyahu and Mozes, who headed one of Israel’s most powerful media groups. Netanyahu is charged in the case with fraud and breach of trust, while Mozes is charged with offering and promising a bribe.
According to the indictment, despite years of deep hostility between Netanyahu and Mozes, the two held several rounds of meetings between 2008 and 2014. Prosecutors say the two discussed advancing their mutual interests: more favorable coverage of Netanyahu and his family in Yediot Aharonot outlets, and legislative restrictions on Israel Hayom, Yediot’s main competitor, which would have carried major financial significance for Mozes and his media group.
The core of the case is a recorded December 2014 conversation, ahead of the 20th Knesset election, in which prosecutors allege Mozes offered Netanyahu a bribe by proposing a significant shift in Yediot’s coverage in exchange for Netanyahu using his governmental power to advance legislation limiting Israel Hayom.
Prosecutors say Netanyahu did not refuse the offer or end the conversation. Instead, they allege, he continued a long and detailed discussion with Mozes and created the impression that he might use his power as prime minister to promote legislation that would benefit Mozes, even though he did not intend to actually advance the bill.