Netanyahu’s legal team requests 15-day delay for his testimony
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Netanyahu’s legal team is engaged in another attempt to delay the start of his testimony, fearing its repercussions.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in occupied al-Quds, on October 24, 2023. (AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s legal team has 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 fully engage with trial preparations.
In May 2024, ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan applied for arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders— martyr Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and martyr Ismail Haniyeh.
On November 21, the ICC issued the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant on charges of "crimes against humanity and war crimes."
This marks a significant escalation in legal actions concerning the war on Gaza, obliging the ICC’s 124 member states to detain Netanyahu and Gallant should they enter their territory.
The Court announced its unanimous rejection of "Israel's" appeal challenging the ICC’s jurisdiction.
