Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testified on Monday for the first time in his years-long corruption trial, appearing in court days after formally requesting a presidential pardon. The legal saga, now entering its fifth year, continues to polarise Israelis at a moment of deep national instability.
Below is a full breakdown of the charges, legal stakes and political implications.
What Are the Charges?
Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 in three separate criminal cases on bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He denies all wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty. The trial began in 2020 and has dragged on through multiple election cycles and ongoing conflict.
This is the most serious case.
Prosecutors allege Netanyahu granted regulatory benefits worth 1.8 billion shekels (around $500 million) to Bezeq Telecom in exchange for favourable coverage of himself and his wife on a news website controlled by then-Bezeq chairman Shaul Elovitch.
Netanyahu faces bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges.
Elovitch denies wrongdoing.
Case 1000: Gifts of Champagne and Cigars
Netanyahu and his wife Sara allegedly received nearly 700,000 shekels ($210,000) worth of luxury gifts cigars, champagne and jewellery from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and billionaire James Packer.
In return, Netanyahu is accused of using his influence to advance Milchan’s business interests.
Neither Milchan nor Packer face charges.
Netanyahu is charged with fraud and breach of trust.
Prosecutors say Netanyahu negotiated a deal with the owner of Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, Arnon Mozes, offering legislation that would weaken a rival paper in exchange for more favourable coverage.
Netanyahu faces fraud and breach of trust.
Why the Trial Is Taking So Long
Because Netanyahu refuses a plea bargain and fights every charge, the trial moves at a slow pace hearings, cross-examinations and procedural motions. A verdict is unlikely anytime soon unless his legal strategy shifts.
Could Netanyahu Be Pardoned?
Netanyahu’s lawyers have asked President Isaac Herzog for a pardon, arguing that:
- continuous court hearings hinder his ability to govern
- granting a pardon would serve national interest during wartime
- the president has constitutional authority to intervene
However:
- Israeli presidents traditionally only grant pardons after conviction
- there is no precedent for pardoning a sitting prime minister mid-trial
- Netanyahu has not admitted any guilt, making a pardon even less likely
How Is He Still Prime Minister While on Trial?
Israeli law does not require a prime minister to step down unless convicted. Even upon conviction, they may stay in office throughout the appeals process.
This legal loophole has allowed Netanyahu to govern while fighting charges for years.
Could Netanyahu Go to Prison?
- Bribery carries up to 10 years in jail
- Fraud and breach of trust carry up to 3 years
If convicted on the most serious charges, Netanyahu could face a lengthy sentence though appeals could drag the process out for years.
Impact on Israeli Society and Politics
Before the 2023 Hamas attacks and the subsequent Gaza war, Netanyahu’s trial was at the centre of national division, sparking mass protests and contributing to five election cycles.
After returning to power in 2022, his government launched a sweeping judicial overhaul that critics argued was designed to weaken the courts ahead of his trial. Massive protests followed, straining relations with the U.S. and Europe.
The war temporarily shelved these debates, but Netanyahu has recently revived rhetoric against the judiciary, reigniting old tensions.
International Angle
- Western allies privately worry that the trial and judicial overhaul weaken Israel’s democratic institutions.
- Netanyahu’s wartime leadership is judged through the lens of his corruption cases, raising questions about political survival, credibility and motivations.
- Allies fear both instability and the perception of democratic erosion.
Broader Implications
- Governance Paralysis: A prime minister fighting for political survival may prioritize personal protection over strategic decision-making.
- Institutional Pressure: The judiciary faces immense political strain, risking long-term damage to Israel’s democratic credibility.
- Public Trust: With society deeply split, the trial undermines trust in government, media and legal institutions.
- Security Environment: Political instability during war raises fears about decision quality, national direction, and accountability.
Personal Analysis
Netanyahu’s trial is no longer just a legal battle — it is a referendum on Israel’s democratic identity. His ability to govern while under indictment exposes structural weaknesses in the Israeli political system. The war has muted criticism for now, but the underlying fissures remain and are reopening as he ramps up attacks on the judiciary.
The trial will likely continue for years, shaping Israeli politics long after the conflict ends. Whether Netanyahu secures a pardon or not, the case has already transformed Israeli society, reshaped alliances, and deepened polarisation. In many ways, the outcome of the trial whenever it comes will signal what kind of democracy Israel chooses to be.
With information from Reuters.