Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today (Tuesday) sharply criticized the conduct of his trial, during his testimony in court. Netanyahu expressed outrage that the discussion focuses on marginal issues, while he is busy managing the affairs of the state at the highest international level.
Today’s discussion focused on the continuation of the investigation into Case 4,000, among the topics raised was an interview that took place with journalist Dov Gil-Har. During the discussion, the prime minister stood up and told those present: “In the last 24 hours, I have spoken with four heads of state, including US President Donald Trump.” He emphasized the gap between his political activities and the topics of discussion, saying: “It is absurd that we are debating for three hours how I responded to the headline.”
The plaintiff, Yehudit Tirosh, claimed that Netanyahu had erupted in anger after the interview with Gil-Har and demanded to re-film it in an unacceptable manner, using the image of “cutting veins” to describe his response – an expression that provoked the protest of his defense attorney, attorney Amit Hadad. Netanyahu dismissed the claims, explaining that the interview was characterized by “unusual hostility” on the part of the interviewers, and that the accusation of him having an “unusual response” is simply ridiculous.
Yesterday, the court ruled that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s testimony will continue today, despite his request to cancel it due to tensions with Iran, but the day of hearings will be shortened to the afternoon. Netanyahu requested to postpone the hearing on the grounds that he must hold urgent political and security meetings in Jerusalem, but the State Attorney’s Office objected, claiming that it is possible to combine the management of state affairs with appearing in court, and even suggested adjusting the schedule so that the hearing would take place after the meetings.
Exceptionally, Defense Minister Israel Katz addressed the judges’ decision today, saying that “beyond all the principled debate regarding the continuation of Netanyahu’s trial, my position regarding the need to cancel it is clear, as Defense Minister, the reality in which the Prime Minister must leave during the trial to talk to me on the red phone about urgent security issues – in the current complex and sensitive security reality – is a violation of the state’s security and an absurdity that must stop.”