“On a day of extraordinary political drama Monday, Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial entered the evidentiary stage at the Jerusalem District Court even as across town representatives of Israel’s political parties were meeting with President Reuven Rivlin to tell him whether they recommend Netanyahu remain prime minister after last month’s deadlocked election. The state’s lead prosecutor, Liat Ben-Ari, was set to open Monday’s court proceedings with a 20-minute speech laying out the criminal charges against Netanyahu. The judges were later scheduled to hear from the former editor of the Walla news site, Ilan Yeshua, a key witness in Case 4000, the most serious of the three cases against Netanyahu. The prime minister faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in Case 4000, and fraud and breach of trust charges in Case 1000 and Case 2000.”

“He denies any wrongdoing, claims the charges are fabricated, and says he is the victim of an attempted political coup. Monday marked the prime minister’s third appearance in court since the indictments were filed against him in January 2020. The premier most recently appeared before the judges in February 2021, formally pleading not guilty to the charges. Netanyahu’s legal troubles have been inextricably linked to his premiership and to the country’s current political impasse, which has resulted in four elections in the past two years. Opponents have used the indictments against him as fodder for their campaigns and as a reason to not join a coalition with him, preventing Netanyahu from acquiring the 61 seats necessary to form a government as of Monday. Netanyahu has also been accused by his rivals of making support for legislation granting him immunity a requirement for entering his coalition” – Times of Israel.