Nothing is ever completely stable in politics, but from many perspectives, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be said to be in his strongest position since March 2023 when he took a big political hit over the judicial overhaul, followed by another hit for being in charge of the country during Hamas’s invasion on October 7, 2023. However, his return to the witness stand for his public corruption trial is set to shake things up.
The trial, which has been on pause but never stopped, is now expected to begin again with Netanyahu’s historic testimony and cross-examination. The prosecution has concluded its side of the case, and the defense’s side is set to start. Netanyahu’s testimony and cross-examination could be decisive in determining the judges’ decision.
The case involves several charges, including Case 1000, where Netanyahu allegedly received illegal gifts from billionaire James Packer and businessman Arnon Milchan. The prosecution has presented evidence that Netanyahu and his family received gifts worth millions of dollars, including champagne and cigars.
Case 4000 is another major part of the trial, where Netanyahu is accused of bribery and breach of trust. The prosecution has presented evidence that Netanyahu used his powers to benefit his ally, Bezeq’s owner Shaul Elovitch, in exchange for favorable coverage of him by Bezeq’s media outlets.
The prosecution’s key witnesses have included Ilan Yeshua, a former Walla CEO, and Hadas Klein, who has testified about the alleged illegal gifts in Case 1000. Shlomo Filber, a former top Netanyahu aide, has also testified, although he has been considered a hostile witness.
The prosecution believes it has strong evidence and is confident it can convict Netanyahu of bribery and breach of trust. The defense, on the other hand, is hoping to challenge the prosecution’s case and discredit its witnesses.
The trial is set to resume on December 10, and it is expected to dominate the news for several months. Netanyahu’s testimony and cross-examination could be a turning point in the case, and his performance on the stand could impact the outcome of the trial.