Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testifies in his corruption trial for the first time.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testified for the first time on Tuesday in his ongoing corruption trial, marking a significant moment in the long-running case. Netanyahu, 75, is Israel’s longest-serving leader, having held office almost continuously since 2009, and is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to face criminal charges. Speaking before the three-judge panel, Netanyahu stated, “I have waited eight years for this moment to tell the truth. But as prime minister leading the country through a seven-front war, I believe both tasks can be handled simultaneously.”

For security reasons, the trial was relocated from Jerusalem to an underground courtroom near Israel’s defense headquarters. Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The allegations include accepting gifts from wealthy associates and seeking regulatory benefits for media moguls in exchange for favorable coverage. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing.

Before his testimony, his lawyer Amit Hadad criticized the investigation, arguing it targeted Netanyahu personally rather than pursuing genuine criminal activity. “Prosecutors were chasing a person, not a crime,” Hadad asserted. While the trial had been delayed due to Israel’s war with Gaza, last week the court mandated Netanyahu’s appearance, requiring him to testify three times a week despite ongoing hostilities. The prime minister has portrayed the investigations as politically motivated, accusing law enforcement of undermining democracy. “The real threat to democracy in Israel comes from certain law enforcement officials who refuse to accept the will of voters and are pursuing a coup with baseless political probes,” Netanyahu declared.

Netanyahu’s legal troubles have deeply polarized Israelis, contributing to five election cycles and efforts by his government to limit judicial powers. His trial was temporarily halted following the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which escalated the conflict in Gaza. Although hostilities with Hezbollah have recently subsided under a ceasefire, tensions persist within Netanyahu’s cabinet, with justice and police ministers clashing with the judiciary.

Last month, Netanyahu’s legal issues intensified when the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against him, former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and a Hamas leader, accusing them of war crimes related to the Gaza conflict.