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The criminal trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resumed this week at the Tel Aviv District Court, with proceedings in Case 2000—the media bribery case involving Yediot Aharonot publisher Arnon "Noni" Mozes—continuing amid shortened hearing hours attributed to "security-diplomatic schedule reasons."

Netanyahu, who is charged with fraud and breach of trust in Case 2000, has been testifying for close to 90 hearings. The prosecution has estimated that only several full days of cross-examination remain, after which his defense is expected to conduct a shorter redirect examination.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from the Jerusalem Post detail the recent developments in the trial. On Monday, Netanyahu's testimony resumed, but the hearing was cut short, with the court announcing it would end at 1:45 p.m. instead of the usual 4:30 p.m. According to the report, the shortening was due to "security-diplomatic schedule reasons," a rationale that had also led to previous cancellations or shortened sessions at Netanyahu's request.

On Tuesday, the hearing resumed at its regular time, but the judges—Rivka Friedman-Feldman, Moshe Bar-Am, and Oded Shaham—announced it would end at 1:30 p.m. instead of 4:30 p.m., citing "security reasons."

The trial is in its defense phase, with the prosecution cross-examining Netanyahu over perceived inconsistencies in his testimony or with submitted evidence. The focus has shifted to Case 2000, following the formal conclusion of Netanyahu's cross-examination in Case 4000, the Bezeq-Walla affair.

Key Claims

  • Case 2000 background: According to the indictment, Netanyahu and Mozes discussed a possible arrangement in which Mozes would improve Netanyahu's coverage in Yediot Aharonot in exchange for steps to limit Israel Hayom, a rival newspaper whose free distribution posed an economic threat to Yediot. The indictment alleges they discussed mutual interests, including improved coverage of Netanyahu and his family in Yediot Aharonot outlets.
  • Netanyahu's denial: On Wednesday, Netanyahu denied testimony linking him to alleged 2009 efforts to reach an understanding with Mozes. The hearing focused on claims that intermediaries close to Netanyahu discussed possible limits on the weekend edition of Israel Hayom in exchange for improved coverage. Netanyahu said he did not remember such a conversation, referring to testimony by former spokesman Nir Hefetz.
  • Hefetz's testimony: Deputy State Attorney Yonatan Tadmor questioned Netanyahu over Hefetz's testimony that he had discussed with Netanyahu in 2009 the possibility of meeting Mozes and conveying that Netanyahu could control or moderate the number of Israel Hayom copies distributed on weekends. Hefetz said he prepared talking points for a possible message to Mozes after consulting with Sara Netanyahu, and that Netanyahu later shredded the document.
  • Charges: Netanyahu is charged with fraud and breach of trust in Case 2000, while Mozes is charged with offering and promising a bribe. Both deny wrongdoing. The broader trial, which began in 2020, includes three cases; Netanyahu is also charged with fraud and breach of trust in Case 1000 and with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in Case 4000.
  • Netanyahu's acknowledgment: Netanyahu acknowledged that Yediot Aharonot had significant political and media influence.
  • Trial status: Netanyahu is nearing the end of his testimony, with the prosecution estimating that only several full days of cross-examination remain. He has yet to publicly respond to President Isaac Herzog's offer to mediate negotiations toward a possible plea deal.

Perspectives

The prosecution presented testimony from Nir Hefetz, former Netanyahu spokesman, linking Netanyahu to alleged 2009 discussions about limiting Israel Hayom's weekend distribution in exchange for improved coverage. Netanyahu denied remembering such a conversation, saying, "I can't refer to things Hefetz said he heard from my wife," and adding he did not recall a discussion about limiting the weekend edition. He has consistently argued the cases against him are politically motivated.