Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shouted during his corruption trial in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, local media reported.
Netanyahu appeared at the Tel Aviv District Court to defend himself against corruption charges for the 17th time since the trial resumed on 10 December 10, 2024. According to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, Netanyahu shouted during the session, but the judge warned him to lower his voice.
“They (judges) put me and my family through the gates of hell. I want to spend a few more minutes to show that this (allegation) is absurd. I have the right to defend myself,” Netanyahu shouted and pounded the table.
The Israeli prime minister has appeared in court twice to defend himself against the charges and has seven more hearings to go.
Three separate corruption cases were filed against Netanyahu in 2019: Case 1,000, Case 2,000 and Case 4,000, which include allegations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He denies any wrongdoing, calling the charges “false.”
The Israeli prime minister could face up to ten years in prison for bribery, and up to three years for fraud and breach of trust.
Netanyahu became the first sitting Israeli leader to appear as a defendant in the criminal trial, which began on May 24, 2020 but was postponed due to the war between Israel and Hamas.
Under Israeli law, he does not have to resign unless the Supreme Court finds him guilty, a process that could take several months.
In November 2024, the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Galant. The grounds were “crimes against humanity and war crimes committed between at least October 8, 2023 and at least May 20, 2024.”
