Failure to delay the issue of corruption would hamper election selection

Netanyahu spoke at a press conference in Jerusalem hours after he appeared in court to respond to allegations of corruption.

“Everyone knows that the cases against me were done,” Netanyahu said, adding that it was likely that they would drop an ap

Netanyahu was charged last year with fraud, breach of trust and acceptance of bribes in three separate cases. He is accused of accepting great gifts from wealthy friends and offering favors to powerful media moguls in exchange for favorable coverage for himself and his family. The most recent hearing was postponed last month due to locking restrictions on public gatherings.

Netanyahu reached the Jerusalem District Court for the resumption of the trial and where he pleaded not guilty. “I certify the written reply submitted in my name,” said Netanyahu, standing before a panel of three judges in the Jerusalem District Court under guard.

After about 20 minutes, Netanyahu left the courtroom unexplained and his motorcade left. The hearing continued without him, with his lawyers arguing for more than an hour that constitutional procedures had not been followed. Prosecutors then rejected these arguments, saying the lawyer had allowed the investigations in dozens of meetings.

Netanyahu’s lawyer, Boaz Ben Tzur, asked the judges to adjourn the next hearing before “90 to 120” days.

Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman, who is in charge of the judging panel, responded that the trial was adjourned several times due to coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent health restrictions. “It simply came to our notice then [of the trial] before six months, “Friedman-Feldman said.

The hearing concluded without deciding whether to suspend the level of evidence. Judge Friedman-Feldman said at the end of the hearing that the panel will “consider everything” when deciding on another possible appointment. be there, which is like at least another month to a month and a half.

Despite the appeal both to pro and anti Netanyahu protesters not to gather outside the court because of a coronavirus, demonstrators who gathered outside will be heard outside inside the room where the hearing was being held. They held flags and sang anti-Netanyahu slogans.

The allegations against Netanyahu are divided into three separate cases.

The most dangerous – known as Case 4000, in which the main charge of bribery, fraud and breach of trust – is based on the allegation that Netanyahu negotiated with Shaul Elovitch of the telecom giant Bezeq for a progressive broadcast on his wall! News site in exchange for government policies that benefited Bezeq.Elovitch and his wife were also highlighted.

The 2000 case concerns concerns that Netanyahu sought a contract with Arnon Mozes, owner Aedionoth Yedioth newspaper, that would have been seen to give it more favorable coverage. Mozes is also a publisher of Ynet. Elovitch and Mozes also appeared in court Monday.

The 1000 case involved claims that Netanyahu and his family received gifts, including luxury cigarettes, champagne and jewelry that were estimated to be worth more than NIS 700,000 ($ 213,000), from wealthy people, in exchange for financial or personal favors.