Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a postponement of his testimony in the ongoing corruption trial, which was scheduled to resume next week. The request was made in light of the current security situation in the region, as stated in a court filing on Friday.
The trial was set to continue on Sunday after Israel lifted the state of emergency that had been imposed during its conflict with Iran, following the ceasefire announcement on Wednesday. While the defense team expressed readiness to proceed with the testimony of a prosecution witness, Netanyahu’s legal representatives highlighted the need for a delay.
The filing submitted to the Jerusalem District Court explained that due to classified security and diplomatic considerations linked to recent dramatic developments in Israel and across the Middle East, the Prime Minister would be unable to provide testimony for at least the next two weeks. A sealed envelope containing the sensitive reasons was delivered to the court, which will decide on the matter after receiving the prosecution’s response.
Netanyahu, the first sitting Israeli prime minister to face criminal charges, denies allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust that were brought against him in 2019 following extensive investigations. His trial, which began in 2020 and carries the possibility of imprisonment, has faced multiple delays due to his official duties, with no clear conclusion in sight.
In a significant development, the charges against Netanyahu, combined with the impact of the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023, have weakened his political standing. Israel is scheduled to hold elections in October, where polls suggest Netanyahu’s coalition—the most right-wing in the country’s history—is likely to face defeat.
