JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testified for the first
time on Tuesday in his long-running corruption trial, marking a pivotal moment
in the case as he manages a war in Gaza and faces an international arrest
warrant for alleged war crimes.
Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of
trust. According to an indictment filed more than five years ago, he is accused
of advancing favorable regulations for a telecommunications mogul in exchange
for positive media coverage of himself and his family. He is also alleged to
have accepted luxury gifts, including cigars and champagne worth tens of
thousands of dollars, from a billionaire Hollywood producer in return for
assistance with personal matters.
Netanyahu arrived at the Tel Aviv courthouse around 10
am, where he was met by a mixed crowd of protesters and supporters. Some
expressed support, while others urged him to intensify efforts to secure the
release of approximately 100 hostages still held in Gaza. Coalition ministers
and lawmakers, responding to a call from Netanyahu's office the previous night,
also attended to show support, Xinhua news agency reported.
At the start of the session, Netanyahu's attorney, Amit
Hadad, criticised the Israeli judicial system, calling the trial 'political
persecution.' Hadad described the indictment as 'flawed and invalid' and argued
that the case should have been dismissed.
Netanyahu began his testimony at approximately 11:30
a.m., opening with the statement, "I have waited eight years for this
moment to tell the truth as I remember it." He described his testimony as
"an opportunity to puncture the baseless accusations" against him.
Netanyahu, who has served as Israel's Prime Minister for
more than 17 years, holds the record as the country's longest-serving leader.
