Court grants Netanyahu 8-day delay to testify in corruption trial
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Netanyahu is scheduled to testify before the court on December 10 regarding corruption charges.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a press conference at the Government Press office in occupied al-Quds on September 4, 2024. (AP)
The Jerusalem District Court has granted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an eight-day delay to start his testimony in his ongoing criminal trial, following a request from his defense team, which claimed it needed more time to prepare him.
Netanyahu was originally set to begin his testimony in court this Monday, but it will now be delayed until December 10.
The Prime Minister's defense team stated that they could not adequately prepare for his testimony due to his demanding schedule related to the ongoing war, and therefore requested a 15-day delay.
Earlier this month, Netanyahu's defense team sought a 10-week delay, but the court rejected the request, stating that it had already allowed him five months to prepare when the date was set in July.
Netanyahu’s lawyers stated that since the court rejected their request on November 13, and in the months prior, both they and the prime minister had made "a supreme effort" to prepare for his testimony, including late-night meetings.
“Despite this supreme effort, the defense is not prepared, and will not be able to meet the goal of being prepared, for beginning the defense by December 2,” Netanyahu’s defense team said.
Yesterday, the High Court of Justice ordered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to respond to a petition seeking Netanyahu's recusal from office during his testimony in his criminal trial next month. As per the order, they must submit their response by December 1, the day before his testimony is set to begin.
The petition calls for Netanyahu to step down from office for the duration of his court testimony, which is expected to span several weeks. He will likely be required to testify four days a week unless alternative arrangements were made.
The Israeli prime minister is currently facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust; charges that have persisted since 2020. His legal team claims that the "exceptional" security demands amid the ongoing genocidal campaign in Gaza and the war on Lebanon make it impossible for him to dedicate time to his legal defense.
According to Israeli public broadcaster KAN, Netanyahu's attorneys contend that the Prime Minister's role in managing "Israel's" security and defense under current wartime conditions leaves him unable to fully engage with trial preparations.
