Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently faced an unprecedented situation when he took the stand in his own corruption trial. The high-profile case has drawn global attention to his legal woes, even as he faces an international arrest warrant for war crimes and fighting in Gaza continues to rage.
It is the first time that a sitting prime minister of Israel has been in the dock, an embarrassing step for a leader who has always sought to cultivate an image of a sophisticated and respected diplomat.
During his testimony, Netanyahu took the stand and said “Good morning” to the judges present. He then claimed that he had waited eight years for this moment to tell the truth, calling the charges against him “an ocean of nonsense.” He promised that his version of events would clarify the prosecution’s case.
Netanyahu, comfortable as he began to tell his version of events, shared personal details about his life, perhaps hoping to influence the judges’ perception of him. He also discussed his relationship with the media, saying that media coverage meant little to him, contrary to what the prosecution has attempted to suggest by characterizing him as an image-obsessed man.
He revealed aspects of his personality, such as his cigar consumption, which he rarely finishes because of his workload, although he hates champagne. One of the cases involves him receiving a “supply” of cigars and champagne from billionaires.
His lawyer has asked that he be given notes during his testimony to help him manage state affairs while following his trial.
The charges Netanyahu faces in his trial include fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases.
He is accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars in cigars and champagne from a Hollywood producer in exchange for personal and professional favors. He is also accused of favoring media regulation for tycoons in exchange for favorable coverage of himself and his family.
Despite his denials and accusations of a witch hunt orchestrated by hostile media, Netanyahu, 75, will have to fight a battle before the judges.
His testimony is scheduled for six-hour sessions per day, three days a week, for several weeks. A workload that raises questions about his ability to lead a country in the midst of crisis, between a war front to manage, the repercussions of a second front and the potential threats from other regional actors, such as Iran or the recent fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
In his testimony, Netanyahu said he could balance these commitments.
Demonstrators gathered outside the Tel Aviv court to protest Netanyahu, including family members of captives held in Gaza and a group of his supporters. A banner outside the court read: “Prime Minister of Crime.”
Under Israeli law, indicted prime ministers are not required to resign.