Case 4000

Benjamin Netanyahu arrives for a court hearing in his trial at the Jerusalem District Court on May 31, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)

Netanyahu allies claim doubts over bribery charge prove need to overhaul judiciary

After judges in Netanyahu trial reportedly warn prosecutors over weakness of accusation, politicians say it shows dangers of allowing a state body to act without oversight

Judges take their seats at the Jerusalem District Court judges to listen to the testimony of businessman Arnon Milchan in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial on June 25, 2023. (Oren Ben Hakoon/POOL)

June 25, 2023, 11:55 pm

After leak, prosecutors request all talks with Netanyahu’s judges be on record

Move comes amid a push to fast-track the trial, following reports that the bench considers a conviction unlikely on the most serious count in one of the three corruption cases

By ToI Staff

Benjamin Netanyahu arrives for his trial at the District Court in Jerusalem, May 10, 2022 (Oren Ben Hakoon/POOL)

June 24, 2023, 8:47 pm

Report: Netanyahu judges also urging mediation in billionaire benefactors case

Meanwhile, after justices reportedly warned prosecution that bribery will be hard to prove, PM’s lawyers pan officials’ ‘hasty, outlandish’ decision to proceed with charge anyway

By ToI Staff

June 23, 2023, 11:30 pm

Netanyahu allies claim doubts over bribery charge prove need to overhaul judiciary

After judges in Netanyahu trial reportedly warn prosecutors over weakness of accusation, politicians say it shows dangers of allowing a state body to act without oversight

By ToI Staff

Prosecutor Judith Tirosh arrives for a court hearing in the trial against Benjamin Netanyahu, at the District Court in Jerusalem on November 29, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

June 23, 2023, 10:55 pm

Prosecution rejects retreat from Netanyahu bribery charge after judge pushback

Attorneys said to believe bench may still be swayed by evidence yet to be presented, with possibility of plea bargain also seen as slim

By ToI Staff

File: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives for a court hearing in his trial, at the District Court in Jerusalem on May 17, 2022.(Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

June 22, 2023, 10:35 pm

Reports: Judges in Netanyahu trial tell prosecution bribery charge has little chance

Walla and Channel 13 news also report justices encouraged sides to agree to a plea bargain or mediation ‘for the sake of the country’

By ToI Staff

(R-L) Ofer Golan, Likud campaign manager, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, digital adviser Topaz Luk, and Likud spokesman Jonatan Urich at the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem on March 20, 2019. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

June 21, 2023, 10:40 pm

3 ex-Netanyahu aides may face charges for allegedly harassing witness in his trial

Jonatan Urich, Ofer Golan and Yisrael Einhorn to be charged, pending hearing, for allegedly sending van with loudspeakers to home of Shlomo Filber and blaring accusations of lying

By ToI Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem on June 11, 2023. (Menahem Kahana/Pool/AFP)

June 20, 2023, 4:48 pm

Former top editor at Walla describes ‘unusual’ interventions on Netanyahu’s behalf

Testifying at PM’s trial, Avner Borochov says stories about premier or his family had to be vetted by editor-in-chief, were purged of criticism

By ToI Staff

Shlomo Filber, former director-general of the communications ministry, testifies in a trial against former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Jerusalem District Court, May 18, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

June 7, 2023, 3:04 pm

State to examine if Netanyahu trial witness violated deal and should be prosecuted

External attorney appointed to investigate whether former Netanyahu aide Shlomo Filber’s shifting testimony invalidates his state witness agreement

By ToI Staff

Israel's Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan arrives to testify in the trial against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a court hearing, at the District Court in Jerusalem on May 15, 2023. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)

May 15, 2023, 2:40 pm

Erdan tells Netanyahu trial he ‘developed a feeling’ he was ousted over Bezeq

Focusing on period where he lost job as communications minister with PM taking his place, Likud official says premier never gave him instructions over telecommunications company

By ToI Staff

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara speaks during a conference at Haifa University, December 15, 2022. (Shir Torem/Flash90)

April 20, 2023, 1:03 pm

Attorney general said to rule out non-binding mediation offer in Netanyahu trial

No official decision has been submitted to the court yet; prosecution sources say if PM wants talks he can propose a plea deal, no need for external judge to be involved

By ToI Staff

March 30, 2023, 11:48 pm

Judge in Netanyahu trial said to ask sides to consider non-binding mediation

According to TV report, lawyers for the prime minister ‘did not rule out the idea,’ although those involved don’t consider it likely that an agreement can be easily reached

By ToI Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attorney Boaz Ben Zur (L) and prosecution lawyer Yehudit Tirosh arrive at a hearing in Netanyahu's corruption trial at the Jerusalem District Court on December 27, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

January 9, 2023, 7:06 pm

Attorneys lose cool at first Netanyahu trial hearing since his return as PM

Judges order brief recess after defense attorneys shout at them, frustrated with the prosecution’s handling of the investigations against the premier

By ToI Staff

December 21, 2022, 7:51 pm

Right-wing MKs: Claims by Netanyahu trial witnesses against cops show reform needed

Smotrich, Likud MK say harassment allegations against investigators bolster their argument for limiting authority of law enforcement

By ToI Staff

Former police commissioner Roni Alsheich speaking at a conference at Reichman University, Feb. 13, 2022. (Adi Cohen Tzedek)

December 21, 2022, 12:57 am

Ex-police chief says he recommends seeking plea deal in Netanyahu corruption trial

Roni Alsheich – who led police investigation into former premier – suggests AG seek plea bargain as ‘our democracy is not yet ready to prosecute a sitting PM’

By ToI Staff

David Sharan arrives to testify in the trial against former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the District Court in Jerusalem on December 20, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

December 20, 2022, 6:35 pm

Prosecutors ask court to declare Netanyahu’s former bureau chief a hostile witness

‘I’ve been attacked and harassed,’ David Sharan tells court, referring to police questioning, before being put on stand by prosecution or defense; court considering his request

By ToI Staff