After five years of avoiding trial, Israel’s prime minister will begin answering corruption charges today. Here are the answers to your questions.
What are the charges?
Netanyahu is facing three cases where he is alleged to have used relationships with rich, powerful men for personal and political gain, including to influence media outlets they owned or controlled.
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In Case 4000, he is alleged to have traded valuable government regulatory concessions to the telecom giant Bezeq, in return for favourable news coverage on the Walla news website, which Bezeq owned at the time.
In Case 2000, he is alleged to have attempted to negotiate favourable news coverage with co-defendant Arnon Mozes, publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth, in exchange for government policy that would have benefitted the newspaper.
In Case 1000, he is accused of fraud and breach of trust over gifts, including cigars and champagne, allegedly received from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer.
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Who are the defendants?
Benjamin Netanyahu, who was prime minister at the time of the alleged offences and is again today.
Shaul Elovich, controlling shareholder of Bezeq group, owner of the Walla news website, at the time of alleged offences.
Iris Elovitch, wife of Shaul Elovich.
Arnon Mozes, publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth.
What evidence has been given so far?
The prosecution has sought to portray Netanyahu as media-obsessed, to push its narrative that he would break the law for favourable coverage.
Witness accounts have shed light not only on the three cases but also on sensational details about Netanyahu’s character and his family’s reputation for living lavishly on the backs of taxpayers and wealthy supporters.
Arnon Milchan, a Hollywood producer and billionaire, testified that he had arranged for luxury items, including cigars and champagne, to be provided to Netanyahu and his family, and his assistant Hadas Klein, testified that she had facilitated the delivery of these items.
Shlomo Filber, a former Netanyahu confidant and Communications Ministry official, and Ilan Yeshua, the former CEO of Walla, provided details about Netanyahu’s alleged involvement in regulatory decisions benefiting Bezeq in exchange for favourable coverage on its Walla news website.
Ari Harow, Netanyahu’s former chief of staff, was convicted in a corruption case in January. As part of the deal, he turned state’s witness and told the court Netanyahu had asked him to look into legislative concessions to Yedioth Achranoth in return for favourable news coverage.
Why has the trial gone on for so long?
The charges relate to events when Netanyahu was prime minister between 2014 and 2017.
After a three year investigation, Netanyahu was charged on November 21, 2019. Netanyahu initially petitioned for immunity, but withdrew his request a month later when it became clear that he did not have a majority in the relevant Knesset committee.
The trial began in 2020 but has been delayed by constant legal manoeuvring as well as external circumstances including the Covid pandemic, and closure of courts after the Hamas attack.
What happens next?
Netanyahu is expected to give evidence until at least the end of the year, and likely longer. Other defence witnesses will then be called. The trial is expected to last at least another year, possibly two.
What if Netanyahu is needed as prime minister?
The court has said that should pressing matters requiring the prime minister’s attention arise, it will consider whether or not to call a recess to allow him to address the concern at hand.
Who are the other players?
The lead prosecutors are Avichai Mandelblit, former Attorney General of Israel, who laid the charges and is overseeing the case, and Liat Ben-Ari, senior prosecutor in the State Attorney’s Office, who is leading the case. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Maira, well-known as an opponent of Netanyahu, is not directly involved in the case but is the arbiter of legal issues related to the trial, including attempts to have his testimony delayed.
Netanyahu’s chief defence attorney is Amit Hadad, who leads a defence team including Noa Milstein, Avichai Yehosef, Yair Leshem, Yossi Segev, and Boaz Ben-Tzur.
The three-judge panel consists of Moshe Bar-Am, Rebecca Friedman-Feldman and Oded Shaham.
What will happen if Netanyahu is convicted?
The maximum punishment is 10 years in jail for a bribery conviction, but that is very unlikely since this relates to a count that judges have already recommended that the prosecution drop.
The punishment for fraud and breach of trust is three years in jail.
Netanyahu would only be required to resign after final judgement, including appeals, which could take several more years.