Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (AFP photo)
In the midst of an ongoing war with the Hamas militant group, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial resumed on Monday in Jerusalem, roughly two months after it was halted due to a deadly attack by the Palestinian movement on Oct. 7.
74-year-old Benjamin Netanyahu stands accused of receiving substantial gifts from wealthy figures totaling about 700,000 shekels (approximately $176,000). Allegedly, between the years 2007 and 2016, the bribes came in the luxurious forms of cigars, champagne bottles, and jewelry.
He faces charges of corruption, fraud, and breach of trust.
Among his suspected benefactors is the Hollywood magnate Arnon Milchan, producer of acclaimed films such as "Brazil," "JFK," "Pretty Woman," and "Natural Born Killers." Netanyahu is purported to have lobbied a tax break potentially worth millions to Milchan; however, the Finance Ministry had blocked the proposal.
Netanyahu asserts he simply accepted presents from friends without solicitation and claims he is being subjected to a witch hunt.
While Netanyahu will not immediately take the stand, Israeli media suggest he could testify in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Israel has been embroiled in the conflict with Hamas, as evidenced by Israel’s 10,000 airstrikes over Gaza since Oct. 7—Day 59 of the conflict. Three Israeli soldiers have been wounded by fire from Lebanon.
Netanyahu's trial, which started in 2020, is unprecedented for a sitting Israeli Prime Minister.
Netanyahu, who has led the Israeli government from 1996 to 1999, 2009 to 2021, and again since the 2022 elections, has formed a coalition with ultra-Orthodox and far-right parties.
The Oct. 7 Hamas attack, which claimed 1,200 lives, predominantly civilians according to authorities, reshuffled the political deck in Israel, forcing Netanyahu to forge an emergency government and war cabinet with Defense Minister Benny Gantz, whom he was once rivaled with.
Critiqued for failing to prevent Hamas's deadliest strike since Israel’s inception 75 years ago, Netanyahu and Gantz have vowed to "destroy" Hamas. They have orchestrated a near two-month-long devastating aerial bombardment campaign on the Gaza Strip, resulting in over 15,500 deaths and 41,300 injuries, as reported by the Hamas Health Ministry.
Pro-Netanyahu political figures have criticized the judicial proceedings amid the conflict, which will be impacted by the mobilization of reservists who are among the witnesses and lawyers involved in the case.
This article originally appeared in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.