Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pleaded not guilty Monday as his trial on corruption charges resumed in a Jerusalem courtroom just weeks before national elections in which he hopes to extend his 12-year rule.
The Corruption Charges
Mr. Netanyahu has been indicted in three cases, known as 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000
Case 1,000 – Fraud and breach of trust: he is accused of receiving gifts – mainly cigars and bottles of champagne – from powerful businessmen in exchange for favors
Case 2,000 – Fraud and breach of trust: Mr. Netanyahu is accused of offering to help improve the circulation of Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot in exchange for positive coverage
Case 4,000 – Bribery, fraud and breach of trust: as PM and minister of communications at the time of the alleged offense, Mr. Netanyahu is accused of promoting regulatory decisions favorable to the controlling shareholder in the Bezeq telecom giant, Shaul Elovitch, in exchange for positive coverage by Mr. Elovitch’s Walla news site.
However, Mr. Netanyahu has consistently denied all the charges against him, branding them a “witch-hunt” by political opponents, and has vowed to clear his name.
According to Israeli law, a leader charged with a crime is not required to resign. But there is no precedent.
For instance, former prime minister, Ehud Olmert, stepped down as party leader when he was under investigation for corruption in 2008 but technically remained prime minister until elections the following year – polls which brought Benjamin Netanyahu to power.
“Everyone knows the cases against me are rigged,” Netanyahu said, adding that the prosecutors hadn’t done a good job. Still, he said holding the evidentiary stage at this time would amount to election “interference.”
At Monday’s hearing, Netanyahu’s lawyers submitted a written response pleading not guilty. They then argued against the cases on procedural grounds; saying the attorney general had not properly approved the investigations in writing.
later around 20 minutes, Netanyahu left the courtroom without explanation and his motorcade departed. His only remarks to the court were that he had nothing to add to his attorney’s response to the charges.
The hearing continued in his absence, with his lawyers arguing for more than an hour that constitutional procedures had not been followed. The judges appeared skeptical and repeatedly called on the defense lawyers to wrap it up. The prosecution then rejected those arguments, saying the attorney general had approved the investigations in dozens of meetings.
Outside the courthouse, around 150 protesters chanted against Netanyahu. Many carried banners reading “Crime Minister.”
Netanyahu has served as Israel’s prime minister since 2009; and in the past two years has managed to hang onto power through three tumultuous, deadlocked elections. His flimsy ruling coalition collapsed in December; he now faces a major battle for reelection in March 23 parliamentary elections