ISRAEL: Netanyahu Rages As Corruption Trial Begins

May 24, 2020 Crime, Scandal

The Associated Press reports:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday launched a tirade against the nation’s justice system as his long-awaited corruption trial got underway, accusing police and prosecutors of conspiring to “depose” him.

Netanyahu’s comments opened what is sure to be a tumultuous period for Israel as he becomes the country’s first sitting prime minister ever to go on trial.

Hundreds of protesters calling him the “crime minister” demonstrated outside his official residence, while hundreds of supporters, including leading members of his Likud party, rallied in support of him at the courthouse.

The Jerusalem Post reports:

Netanyahu is the first prime minister in Israel’s history to go on trial while in office; it will take place at the Jerusalem district court. He is facing charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust.

As the legal war went forward, there was a parallel war of protesters outside the courthouse,with public statements by Netanyahu’s spokesman and supporters as well as by his critics.

A major dramatic moment was when a corona-era masked Netanyahu entered the courtroom, but avoided sitting with the other defendants until the photographers left the room. Netanyahu tried to avoid having to attend the first day of the trial but the prime minister was compelled to attend by the court.

Haaretz reports:

Netanyahu was recorded telling Cabinet Secretary Tzahi Braverman to prevent reporters from asking questions as the new government convened ahead of Netanyahu’s corruption trial on Sunday.

Netanyahu is heard telling Braverman “of course,” when asked whether to stop reporters from asking questions.

Following a Haaretz inquiry about the content of the recording, it was taken offline and was defined as “private.” Journalists who attended the press conference said they were not allowed to ask questions.

The BBC reports:



Opinion in Israel as to whether he should carry on as prime minister is split: critics say the spectacle of a trial makes Mr Netanyahu’s job untenable, but his supporters – including his party – say he has been democratically elected and should not be forced out.

Even if he is convicted, Mr Netanyahu will not be required to resign unless and until any appeals are exhausted – which could, in theory, be many months or years into the future.

In Ehud Olmert’s case, the former prime minister went on trial in 2009 and after he was convicted only began serving his sentence in 2016 due to the long legal process.

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