Netanyahu appears in court for 21st time in corruption trial
TEL AVIV — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday appeared before the Tel Aviv District Court for the 21st time in his ongoing corruption trial, while simultaneously naming a temporary replacement for the dismissed head of Israel's internal security agency, Shin Bet. Netanyahu, who attends court twice weekly, is expected to complete 24 sessions as he defends himself against charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases dating back to 2019 — referred to as Case 1,000, Case 2,000, and Case 4,000. He has denied all allegations, calling them politically motivated. The proceedings, which began on May 24, 2020, mark the first time a sitting Israeli prime minister has taken the stand as a criminal defendant. Under Israeli law, Netanyahu is not required to resign unless convicted by the Supreme Court, a process that could take several months. Meanwhile, amid continued political turmoil, Netanyahu's office announced the appointment of the Shin Bet deputy chief — identified only as 'Shin' — as interim leader of the security service. The move comes after Netanyahu's controversial dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar last month. However, Israel's Supreme Court has frozen Bar's dismissal until it reviews legal petitions challenging the decision on April 8. This marks the first time an Israeli government has dismissed a Shin Bet chief. Netanyahu maintains that the decision is within his executive authority and should not be subject to judicial oversight. On Tuesday, Netanyahu reversed his earlier plan to appoint former Navy chief Eli Sharvit as the new Shin Bet head, reportedly under pressure from his ruling coalition, which opposed Sharvit's selection due to his participation in anti-government protests in 2023. Netanyahu's office said the premier is continuing interviews with potential candidates for the post, with no final appointment expected before April 10, when Bar's term officially ends. Separately, Netanyahu also faces international legal challenges, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The Israeli military offensive has killed more than 50,300 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since October 7, 2023. — Agencies
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leaders
4 hours ago
- Leaders
Spanish PM Urges EU to Suspend Cooperation Deal with Israel
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Thursday that Gaza was in a 'catastrophic situation of genocide' before an EU summit in Brussels, urging for suspending deals with Israel, according to AFP. Call for Suspending Deal with Israel Sanchez called on the European Union to immediately suspend its cooperation deal with Israel. These remarks represent Sanchez's strongest condemnation to date after a lot of critical statements against Israel and its genocide in Gaza. The Spanish PM shed light on a recent human rights report by the EU's diplomatic service which tackled 'the catastrophic situation of genocide unfolding in Gaza.' Importantly, the report mentioned 'indications' that Israel was breaching its human rights obligations under the deal, which forms the basis for trade ties. Sanchez said it was 'more than obvious' that Israel was violating its obligations and that the bloc should suspend the cooperation deal 'immediately.' Furthermore, the report tackled Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid, the high number of civilian casualties, attacks on journalists and the massive displacement and destruction caused by the war. Sanchez added that 'it makes no sense' that the bloc has imposed 18 rounds of sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine but, 'in a double standard, is not even capable of suspending an association deal.' Call for Exclusion from Eurovision In May, Sanchez said that the Eurovision song contest should exclude Israel over its war in Gaza. He also expressed solidarity with 'the people of Palestine who are experiencing the injustice of war and bombardment.' Russians have not been allowed to take part in the competition because of Russia's invasion on Ukraine. 'Therefore, Israel shouldn't either, because what we cannot allow is double standards in culture,' Sanchez said at an event in Madrid. During his speech, the Spanish PM stressed Spain's commitment to applying the international law and human rights nothing that 'Europe's should be too.' Calling Israel a 'Genocidal State' Sanchez previously called Israel a 'genocidal state' during his speech in the Spanish parliament on Wednesday, stating that Madrid 'does not do business' with such a country. The PM's remarks came as a response to a provocative comment from an anti-Israel member of parliament who condemned Spain's trade relations with what he called the 'genocide state' of Israel. Sanchez's comments sparked anger in Israel, prompting Israel's Foreign Ministry to summon the Spanish Ambassador, Ana Salomon, for a formal reprimand in Jerusalem. 'Following the severe remarks made by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish ambassador to Israel has been summoned for a reprimand meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem tomorrow,' the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Related Topics: Spain Cancels Purchase of Israeli Weapons after Internal Pressure Spain Ravaged by Deadliest Floods in Decades Ireland, Spain, Norway to Recognize Palestinian State Short link : Post Views: 18
Leaders
4 hours ago
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Supports Palestine with $30mn Package
Saudi Arabia on Thursday delivered a $30 million installment to Palestine, as part of the Kingdom's ongoing financial support to the State of Palestine for the year 2025, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The Palestinian Minister of Finance, Omar Al-Bitar, received the installment at the Saudi Embassy in Amman, during a meeting with the Acting Chargé d'Affaires at the Saudi Embassy in Jordan, Mohammed bin Hassan Mounis. On this occasion, Al-Bitar hailed Saudi Arabia's continued financial and political support for Palestine, stressing its pivotal role in mitigating the financial crisis facing Palestine as a result of the recent Israeli policies. Furthermore, the Palestinian Minister expressed appreciation to Saudi Arabia for its steadfast historic position on Palestine, and its support for Palestine's legitimate rights, including the establishment of an independent Palestine state. Al-Bitar also conveyed the greetings of the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, and Prime Minister, Muhammad Mustafa, to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, for their continued political, economic and humanitarian support. On his part, Mounis said that this installment underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting the Palestinian government and enabling it to meet its financial obligations. He also highlighted the significance of this financial support in strengthening the resilience of the Palestinian people and alleviating their suffering in the face of economic and humanitarian challenges. Moreover, Mounis noted that Saudi Arabia's aid to Palestine has amounted to $5.3 billion over the past years, including humanitarian, relief and development aid. This support stresses the Kingdom's steadfast commitment to upholding the rights of the Palestinian people. Short link : Post Views: 8
Al Arabiya
6 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Netanyahu says ‘victory' over Iran opens windows to peace
Victory over Iran presents new opportunities for peace agreements which Israel must not waste, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday. In a statement, he said: 'This victory presents an opportunity for a dramatic widening of peace agreements. We are working on this with enthusiasm. 'Alongside the freeing of hostages and defeat of Hamas, there is a window of opportunity that must not be missed. We cannot waste even a single day.'
