High Court orders PM to answer petition demanding he recuse himself
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The clock is ticking for Netanyahu as the High Court pressures him to respond to a petition regarding recusing himself while testifying in his trial next month.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a session of the Knesset in occupied al-Quds on November 18, 2024. (AP)
The High Court of Justice has 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.
Yesterday, Netanyahu’s legal team requested a 15-day delay for the start of his testimony in his ongoing criminal trial. They claimed that despite their efforts, both the prime minister and his defense attorneys would not be ready by the scheduled date of December 2.
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.
Netanyahu’s lawyers argued that preparations were further hindered by the International Criminal Court's decision on Thursday to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. They are now requesting that his testimony begin on December 17.
He currently faces 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 engage with trial preparations fully.
