splits

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.

Married At First Sight UK has come to an end and a series of bombshell splits have been announced

Married At First Sight UK has reached a dramatic conclusion, leaving viewers curious about which couples are still going strong beyond the cameras.

The hit E4 programme has delivered an absolutely explosive series packed with shocking revelations. From Julia-Ruth’s bombshell about getting matching ink with another groom and texting someone else, to devastating break-ups – this series has truly had everything.

However, only five couples managed to reach the final vows ceremony, with four deciding to continue their romances in the real world.

Now that the latest Married At First Sight UK series has wrapped up, we’ve examined which couples made it to those crucial final vows and who’s still together after filming ended.

This follows a series of surprising separation announcements. So which pairs are actually still loved-up? reports OK!.

Davide and Keye – separated

Fan favourites Davide and Keye breezed through their final vows and took their romance into the real world. Nevertheless, it’s now been revealed that the pair are no longer an item.

The duo confirmed their break up this month after Keye admitted to using dating app Grindr, which a devastated Davide uncovered. In a social media statement, Davide revealed the two were no longer speaking but said he “wished Keye the best”.

Confirming their split, Keye said: “In the early hours of a Sunday morning, while Davide was on a flight, I downloaded Grindr. I want to be clear that I was not looking to cheat, hook up, or find someone else. I was in a dark and fragile place and reached for something unhealthy because I did not know how else to cope.

“What I was seeking had nothing to do with intimacy. It was an attempt to escape emotions I could not sit with, and I reached for substances when what I really needed was support.”

He added: “When Davide found my profile through his, it cost me my marriage. That is something I carry with me every day.”

Leigh and Leah – separated

Viewers will recall the devastating final vows as both Leigh and Leah chose to end their relationship there and then.

Leigh confessed the couple had battled with their communication along with trust issues, whilst Leah spoke about the strain and uncertainty as she revealed she felt she was being put on “trial”.

The pair remain apart, with Leah seemingly dating someone new since leaving the programme whilst Leigh appears to be single at present.

Bailey and Rebecca – separated

Despite keeping a solid relationship going throughout the series and delivering touching final vows, Rebecca and Bailey revealed their break up after filming wrapped.

Rebecca simply posted on Instagram: “To answer all the questions…. Yes, he fumbled.”

Meanwhile, in an extensive statement, Bailey revealed: “Unfortunately it’s time to share that Bec and I are no longer together…

“We tried our best to navigate life after the experiment, and although we spent a lot of great time together on the outside, unfortunately the relationship came to an end. I still have a lot of love for Bec and I’m grateful for the amazing relationship we shared. I had fallen for Bec completely and it really was a true love story.”

He went on to say he accepts responsibility for his role in the relationship breakdown, describing it as “heartbreaking”.

Leisha and Reiss – separated

Leisha and Reiss faced their share of communication struggles during their MAFS UK journey but departed the experiment determined to make their romance work.

Nevertheless, it was subsequently revealed the pair had parted ways.

It seems their communication difficulties persisted beyond the show as Leisha was spotted in floods of tears during an emotional reunion episode.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Leisha penned: “This experience has taught me that my worth is not defined by someone else’s ability to value it. I may have lost him, but in the process, I found me.”

Abi and John – still together

Abi and John remain the sole couple from the series who are still loved-up and going strong.

The duo stayed solid throughout their MAFS UK adventure, despite arriving as latecomers to the experiment. Earlier this week, John took to Instagram to share some news, stating they had an “announcement to make” before confirming that the couple are still going strong.

In a subsequent post, John revealed that they’ve been spending more time in North Wales, with Abi responding to his update: “Best feeling ever is to step into our new lives together! Wales = Home.”

Married At First Sight UK is available to stream on Channel 4 online