Netanyahu pleads not guilty in corruption trial

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pleaded not guilty on Monday as his trial on corruption charges resumed just weeks before the national elections in which he hopes to extend his 12-year rule.

The 71-year-old leader officially entered his plea to charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three corruption cases.

Standing before a three-judge panel in the Jerusalem District Court, Netanyahu said: "I confirm the written answer submitted in my name."

He was referring to a document his lawyers gave the court in January in which they argued he was not guilty of the corruption charges.

On Sunday Netanyahu told supporters he knew they wanted to support him, but said: "I urge you, for the sake of your health, for the sake of the health of all of us, don't come," in reference to the coronavirus pandemic.

Public tensions mount

Protesters gathered outside the courthouse could be heard inside the room where the hearing was taking place. 

"Yalla Bibi leave," and "Bibi to jail," protesters chanted, beating drums and blowing horns, using the prime minister's nickname. 

In recent months, Israelis have held weekly protests calling on Netanyau to step down over the charges and criticizing his government's response to pandemic. 

What are the cases against him?

Netanyahu, the country's longest-serving leader and the first premier to be indicted in office, was charged last year over allegations that he accepted improper gifts such as cigars and champagne as well as trading favors with powerful media moguls.

One of the cases against him alleges that Netanyahu granted regulatory worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the owner of the Bezeq telecom company in exchange for positive coverage on its Walla! news site.

Netanyahu has slammed the charges against him as "fabricated and ludicrous" and has claimed to be the victim of an orchestrated "witch-hunt."

Upcoming reelection 

Netanyahu's ruling coalition collapsed in December, and he now faces a tough reelection in the March 23 parliamentary elections.

Monday is the second time that the leader is to appear in court. He last came to court in May at the start of a trial subsequently delayed by coronavirus lockdowns. The indictment was read out to him during the May trial. 

The court is unlikely to reach a verdict anytime soon. The trial could take years.

If Netanyahu wins in the upcoming elections, he could try to secure parliamentary immunity, or pass laws to exempt a serving prime minister from standing trial.

Israeli law requires Cabinet ministers to resign when charged with criminal offenses but does not stipulate the case of a prime minister under indictment.

mvb/rs (AFP, dpa, AP, Reuters)