Judges approve postponement of Netanyahu's trial hearing

Tel Aviv District Court judges yesterday approved a request by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to postpone his trial hearing scheduled for today, citing “unusual circumstances.”

Netanyahu submitted the request during his testimony yesterday in a case in which he faces corruption charges. His lawyer, Amit Hadad, stated that the justification for the request would be presented behind closed doors.

Hadad added that the prosecution is aware of the matter. However, a prosecutor’s representative argued: “If there is a request, it should be justified publicly.”

Yesterday was the third day of Netanyahu’s testimony as part of his lawyer’s cross-examination.

Earlier, a document envelope was delivered to Netanyahu, prompting repeated interruptions during the session. Prosecutor Yonatan Tadmor noted: “It is clear that at some point, we must consider how the questioning will proceed without these slips of paper.”

Netanyahu defended himself, saying: “I came here to give my testimony. I want to testify, and I came willingly to do so. But I am also the prime minister. These notes are related to my position as prime minister. Under the current circumstances, they are completely normal, and there is no need to make an issue out of this.”

Monday’s hearing focused on Case 4000, which repeatedly mentioned businessman Ze’ev Rubinstein. According to the indictment, Rubinstein – referred to as “the mediator” – is close to Netanyahu and his wife, Sara. He is also a friend of Shaul Elovitch, the owner of the Walla! news site.

Rubinstein is described as the “ambassador” of the Netanyahu family in New York. The indictment alleges that Netanyahu and his wife relayed their requests for positive coverage through Rubinstein to Elovitch and Walla Editor Ilan Yeshua. It further states that Elovitch pressured Yeshua to fulfil the Netanyahus’ demands, passing instructions to the site’s editors.