Netanyahu appears in court for 88th time in corruption case

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in court in Tel Aviv on Tuesday (May 19) in a corruption case. It is said to be his 88th appearance in the ongoing trial. Citing local Israeli media, the Turkish news agency Anadolu Agency reported that judges allowed Tuesday’s hearing to be shortened, citing his “security and political engagements.” No further details were given.
Today’s hearing mainly dealt with case number 2000. Interrogations have already been concluded in cases 1000 and 4000. Netanyahu is charged with bribery, corruption and breach of trust in three separate cases—1000, 2000 and 4000. Formal indictments were filed in the cases in late November 2019.
Case 1000 alleges that Netanyahu and members of his family accepted expensive gifts from wealthy businessmen in exchange for various benefits and support. Case 2000 alleges that he made a deal with Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes in exchange for “biased” news coverage.
Case 4000 alleges that former Bezeq owner Shaul Elovitch was given benefits in exchange for positive coverage of Netanyahu on the online media outlet Wala. Since his trial began in 2020, Netanyahu has denied all charges, calling them “politically motivated propaganda” against him.
Under Israeli law, the president cannot pardon an accused person unless he pleads not guilty. In addition to the domestic corruption case, the International Criminal Court has had an arrest warrant for him since 2024 for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. According to various international reports, Netanyahu’s orders since October 2023 have led to massive casualties in the two-year war.