Benjamin Netanyahu Testifies in Landmark Corruption Trial
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Jerusalem, Dec 10 (NationPress) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the stand for the first time on Tuesday in his protracted corruption trial, marking a significant turning point in the case as he manages a conflict in Gaza and faces an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes.
Netanyahu is confronted with accusations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. As per an indictment issued over five years ago, he is alleged to have facilitated favorable regulations for a telecommunications tycoon in return for favorable media portrayal of himself and his family. Additionally, he is accused of accepting luxurious gifts, including cigars and champagne valued at tens of thousands of dollars, from a billionaire Hollywood producer in exchange for help with personal issues.
He arrived at the Tel Aviv courthouse around 10 am, greeted by a diverse assembly of protesters and supporters. Some showed their backing, while others called on him to enhance efforts for the release of roughly 100 hostages still captured in Gaza. Coalition ministers and lawmakers, responding to a request from Netanyahu's office the prior evening, also came to express their support, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
At the outset of the session, Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Hadad, criticized the Israeli judiciary, labeling the trial as 'political persecution'. Hadad described the indictment as 'flawed and invalid' and contended that the case should have been dismissed.
Netanyahu commenced his testimony at about 11:30 a.m., beginning with the declaration, 'I have waited eight years for this moment to tell the truth as I remember it.' He characterized his testimony as 'an opportunity to puncture the baseless accusations' against him.
Having served as Israel's Prime Minister for over 17 years, Netanyahu holds the record as the nation's longest-serving leader.
