Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in a courtroom in Tel Aviv to appear before the court for the first time in the corruption case against him, reports Reuters. Before the hearing, he said the charges against him were part of a "brutal witch hunt" and accused the media of spreading lies, pledging to defend himself against them, quoted by BTA.
„I will speak. "For eight years I have been waiting for the day when I can tell the truth," Netanyahu said at a press conference. The hearing was held in an underground courtroom in Tel Aviv, with the trial being moved from Jerusalem for security reasons.
Twelve ministers from Netanyahu's cabinet called for a postponement of the trial, but their requests were rejected. This is the first time a sitting Israeli prime minister has appeared in court.
Netanyahu has been accused of fraud and corruption, including receiving benefits from the Bezek telecommunications company while serving as communications minister. He is also accused of receiving expensive gifts from billionaires he befriended. The case could last for years.
„I did not commit crimes, that's why they made them up”, said the Prime Minister.
In his first press conference in months, Netanyahu expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with "Hamas" and comments on "some developments" on the subject, but emphasized that it is still too early to say whether there will be results. "Hamas" confirmed that it is in indirect talks with Israel for a possible hostage exchange in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners in Israel.