Netanyahu's Defense in Court: Distancing from Allegations
On December 16, 2024, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued his testimony in the Tel Aviv District Court, focusing on the ongoing Case 4000. During his third day on the witness stand, Netanyahu emphasized that he was not involved in the requests made to the Walla news website, which he claims were initiated by his wife, Sara Netanyahu, and his former associate, Zeev Rubinstein. This line of defense aims to distance him from the bribery allegations, asserting that he was unaware of the communications regarding media coverage.
Judge Moshe Bar-Am pressed Netanyahu on whether he communicated with his wife regarding these matters, to which Netanyahu replied, "I don't have time for that. My wife doesn't call me and I don't call her. During an election, I'm busy getting voters to the polls." This statement reflects Netanyahu's argument that he was preoccupied with the election campaign and did not engage in media manipulation.
Investigation Critique and Personal Anecdotes
Netanyahu criticized the investigation process, claiming it was rushed and lacked thorough fact-checking. He highlighted that out of 315 items cited by the prosecution as evidence of coverage requests, only nine were presented to him during the investigation. His defense attorney, Amit Hadad, echoed this sentiment, stating that the investigation was more about targeting Netanyahu than seeking truth and justice.
In a personal anecdote, Netanyahu recounted a troubling experience involving his son, Yair, which he used to illustrate what he perceives as hypocrisy in the allegations against him. He argued that requests for media coverage are common among politicians, yet he is uniquely scrutinized for similar actions.
Ongoing Testimony and Future Proceedings
As Netanyahu's testimony continues, he has begun to systematically address the 315 requests related to the Walla website. On this day, only 16 items were discussed, indicating that the court proceedings will extend into future sessions. Netanyahu insists that addressing these items is crucial to refuting the allegations against him, stating, "It's not enough for me to deny. While addressing them, evidence comes up that contradicts what is attributed to me in the indictment." The next session is scheduled for Wednesday, where further examination of the evidence will take place.
