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Fighting for Political Survival, Netanyahu Stands Trial for Corruption

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JERUSALEM, Israel – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial resumed on Monday with judges hearing evidence for the first time.

Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate corruption cases. Netanyahu formally pleaded not guilty to the charges in February and characterizes the accusations against him as a “witch hunt.”

What Exactly is Netanyahu Accused Of?:

Netanyahu has been indicted in three cases called Case 1000, Case 2000, and Case 4,000.

Case 1,000: Fraud and Breach of Trust – Netanyahu is accused of receiving illicit gifts from international business moguls in exchange for favors.

Case 2,000: Fraud and Breach of Trust – He is accused of helping improve the distribution of the Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot in exchange for positive coverage.

Case 4,000: Bribery, Fraud and Breach of Trust – This is considered the most serious of the three cases. Netanyahu is accused of having a quid pro quo relationship with the main shareholder of Israel's leading telecommunications company "Bezeq” in exchange for positive coverage of the Netanyahu family on Bezeq's "Walla! News."

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Today, the judges are expected to hear from the former editor of Walla! News, a key witness in Case 4,000.

The trial, which was delayed multiple times, comes as Netanyahu fights for political survival after Israel’s fourth national election failed to give him the majority in parliament he needs to stay in power. Israel remains in a political deadlock that has plagued the country for more than two years. Neither the pro-Netanyahu nor anti-Netanyahu factions won enough seats in parliament to obtain a majority.

Netanyahu’s opponents claim that if he remains prime minister, he will enact legislation that will grant him immunity from prosecution while he is in office. Netanyahu denies such claims.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will meet with party heads today and announce on Wednesday who he believes is capable of forming a stable government coalition.

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About The Author

Emily
Jones

Emily Jones is a multi-media journalist for CBN News in Jerusalem. Before she moved to the Middle East in 2019, she spent years regularly traveling to the region to study the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, meet with government officials, and raise awareness about Christian persecution. During her college years, Emily served as president of Regent University's Christians United for Israel chapter and spoke alongside world leaders at numerous conferences and events. She is an active member of the Philos Project, an organization that seeks to promote positive Christian engagement with the Middle