Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Appears in Court for 27th Time Amid Corruption Trial
Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, with court hearings set to conclude in early May before cross-examination begins.
Watan-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared once again before the Tel Aviv District Court on Tuesday, marking his 27th court session related to ongoing corruption charges.
According to Israel’s Channel 12, Netanyahu “appeared before the court for the 27th time since December 10, 2024.”
The court convenes twice a week to hear testimony and evidence regarding accusations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust directed at the Prime Minister.
Last week, the court announced that Netanyahu’s current phase of hearings would conclude by May 7, 2025. According to the court’s decision, Netanyahu is also scheduled to appear on May 6 and 7.
Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported on Tuesday:”The judges presiding over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial have permitted his lawyer, Amit Hadad, to conduct four additional sessions during the main testimony stage, which will conclude by May 7.”
Netanyahu Faces Cross-Examination as Corruption Trial and Gaza War Crimes Allegations Intensify
Channel 12 also reported that Netanyahu “refused to answer journalists’ questions upon entering the courtroom regarding when he would take responsibility for the failure of October 7, 2023.”
Additionally, Netanyahu did not comment on the resignation announcement of Shin Bet (Israel’s internal security service) chief Ronen Bar, who is set to step down in mid-June, according to the same outlet.
Netanyahu’s legal troubles, involving allegations of accepting gifts from wealthy businessmen and offering regulatory favors in exchange for positive media coverage, have shadowed his tenure for years. Critics argue that his focus on personal legal survival has paralyzed Israeli politics, even as the country faces escalating crises, including war crimes allegations related to Israel’s devastating military operations in Gaza and the West Bank.
International human rights organizations have amplified calls for holding Israeli leadership accountable for systemic violations in Palestinian territories. The continuation of Netanyahu’s trial, amid growing domestic discontent and international scrutiny, adds another layer of volatility to Israel’s political and legal landscape in 2025.
