Judges ask Shin Bet if Netanyahu can testify again at Jerusalem district court

The judges overseeing the corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested clarification from Israeli security services on whether he can once more appear before the Jerusalem district court to testify. This request comes as the case was transferred to the Tel Aviv court in December for security reasons, according to the newspapers Haaretz and The Times of Israel.

"The relevant authorities are asked to inform by next Sunday if there has been any change in the circumstances, which would allow the continuation of Netanyahu's testimony at the Jerusalem district court," stated the request text quoted by Haaretz.

The security services had earlier this month deemed the security arrangements of the Jerusalem court insufficient to protect the prime minister when he began testifying on Dec. 10. Unlike the Tel Aviv court, the Jerusalem court lacks a bomb shelter and other adequate security measures.

The Shin Bet's recommendation was based on "highly confidential information" regarding threats against the Prime Minister due to the ongoing war in Gaza. In October, Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea was targeted in a drone attack claimed by Hezbollah. A 60-day cease-fire has been in place since Nov. 27 between Israel and Hezbollah.

Netanyahu, who underwent prostate surgery on Sunday, Dec. 29, according to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to be tried in criminal court for corruption, fraud, and breach of trust. The trial, which began in May 2020, had been paused due to the war in the Gaza Strip, with the prime minister filing several postponement requests citing hostilities triggered by Hamas's attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

His office is also embroiled in a scandal, involving a former advisor accused of leaking confidential documents concerning negotiations for the release of hostages taken during Hamas's attack, for presumed media purposes.