The hearing in Netanyahu’s trial on Wednesday, which was supposed to take place in his presence in the Jerusalem District Court, has been postponed, the Jerusalem District Court announced this morning (Friday).
For more updates and to send your stories – visit the news Facebook page
A statement from the court said the reason for the rejection was “dealing with the corona virus, and given the large number of attendees coming to court for a hearing and a general suspension.” The notice was signed by the court secretariat “notifying the parties of this decision” without delay “.
The decision to postpone the trial came after the judges refused earlier this week Netanyahu’s request to postpone the hearing. Among other things, Netanyahu’s defense attorneys explained that the hearing should be postponed due to the general closure, which the government decided on only this week.
“In the last week, in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, our offices have worked with a limited staff of up to 50%, now following the government’s decision from last night, this format will be further reduced,” the lawyers wrote in the request. “Given the tightening of restrictions and the imposition of a full closure will make it even more difficult for the defense to provide the answer.”
Simultaneously with the request to postpone the hearing, Netanyahu’s defense attorneys clarified that he still reserves the right to submit a renewed immunity application to the Knesset – claiming that amending the indictment is equivalent to a new indictment. Hence, the Prime Minister can submit the request for immunity within 30 days from the date of amendment of the indictment.
Ganz yesterday: The court will adapt itself to reality
Justice and Defense Minister Bnei Gantz was interviewed yesterday in the main edition and was explicitly asked about a scenario in which the hearing would be postponed due to Corona’s limitations. Gantz vehemently rejected the script, saying emphatically that “there are three authorities in the State of Israel – the government, the Knesset and the courts, the judiciary. Each authority must continue to function – no matter what the situation in Israel and each authority must adapt its activities to the reality we are in.” .
Gantz added that “last night I sat down with the director of the courts, consulted with the attorney general, sat with the president of the Supreme Court and understood that they make the necessary adjustments according to my emphases, and I am convinced that the justice system will do what is necessary. The law in the State of Israel and its resilience. “
Gantz has already made it clear in a statement issued this morning that “for the avoidance of doubt – the courts are open and functional. This is what I have decided and will be. Due to the closure, the director of courts granted the requests of judges, lawyers and the public, allowing judges to exercise adjudication. Him and postpone the trial. “
“This is further proof that the legal system in Israel is independent, matter-of-fact, and does not persecute Netanyahu. That was the case and I will ensure that this will continue to be the case,” Gantz concluded. “The serious problem is that Israel has a prime minister with an indictment, and so above his decision-making will always hover the cloud of his personal and legal considerations. This reality needs to be changed in the upcoming elections.”
An amended indictment was filed against Netanyahu
Last Sunday, the prosecution filed an amended indictment against the prime minister in the 4000 case. According to the attorneys, the amended indictment filed includes “material and relevant details for the defense of the defendants” – which first appear in the indictment after being amended.
For the amended indictment filed against Netanyahu, click here
Amendment of the indictment filed by the State Attorney’s Office Includes, among other things, a list of concrete events that include demands from the Walla website to improve the coverage of Netanyahu and his family, in which, according to the State Attorney’s Office, Netanyahu was involved. The amended indictment further emphasized that the prime minister was aware that his family members were turning to the Elowitz couple.
“Netanyahu was aware that his family members were turning to the Elowitz couple”
“In accordance with the court’s decision, the amended indictment was accompanied by a list of concrete events (315 in number) that include demands from the Walla website to improve the coverage of the defendant and his family (about 230 demands),” the prosecution said in a press release. “Of these, there are indications of Netanyahu’s involvement in about 150 demands for him and his family.”
The prosecution added: “Referrals include demands to improve the media coverage of Netanyahu and his family, to increase the time of exposure of positive news or deletion, deterioration or change of headlines of negative news about Netanyahu or his family, demands to negatively cover political opponents, demand to prevent an interview Held with Netanyahu, etc.
The prosecution said that the amended indictment emphasized that the prime minister “was aware that his family members were addressing the Elowitz couple with demands for coverage, on a substantial scale and in a systematic manner.” They further wrote: “These demands, as well as the ‘self-censorship’ events carried out against the background of the said demands, were also specified in the said appendix, a total of 315 demands, which constitute the ‘gift’ component in the bribery relationship.”
In the announcement of the prosecution, the amendments preceded the details of additional sections in the indictment and wrote that during the periods relevant to the indictment, a “bribery relationship” took place between the defendants. “This relationship included demands and interventions in media coverage in various ways on the Walla website controlled by Bezeq,” they wrote.
They added: “This is against the expectation that in return Netanyahu will promote significant economic interests for the Elowitzs; indeed, in return for the gift, Netanyahu carried out governmental actions that were of crucial importance to Elowitz and his wife and benefited them and the businesses controlled by Elowitz.” Recall thatMore than a week ago, Netanyahu’s defense attorneys filed Request to quash the indictment. They then argued that the prosecution had not lawfully forwarded to the court the Attorney General’s approvals to open an investigation against an incumbent prime minister, as required by section 17 of the Basic Law of Government.