Netanyahu testifies at his own corruption and fraud trial

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial opened in Tel Aviv, with the judge ordering him to testify throughout the highly anticipated proceedings.

Indicted in 2019, Benjamin Netanyahu was the country’s first sitting PM to be charged with corruption, fraud and breach of trust.

Netanyahu rejected the charges against him and pleaded not guilty.

On the first day of the trial, which took place in an undisclosed location, he and his lawyers denounced the Left’s relentless pursuit of the case.

They also accused journalists of hounding him for years because of his policies.

According to them, this is not an investigation into a crime, but a personal forward against him.

Netanyahu is accused of offering advantages to certain media outlets, including Bezeq Telecom, by granting them special services.

The value of these benefits is estimated at nearly two billion shekels, in exchange for favorable media coverage for him and his wife.

He also reportedly negotiated favorable media support with the owner of a newspaper, in exchange for measures to slow the growth of a competitor.

Recently, judges ordered him to testify several times throughout his trial, forcing him to spend the next few weeks in court.

Despite this, he claims to be able to continue his leadership duties in parallel.