JERUSALEM, Dec. 10 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testified for the first time Tuesday in his long-running corruption trial, a key moment in the case as he presides over the Gaza war and faces an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes.
Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. According to an indictment filed more than five years ago, he is accused of pushing through favourable regulations for a telecoms tycoon in exchange for positive publicity for himself and his family. He also allegedly accepted luxury gifts including cigars and champagne worth tens of thousands of dollars from the Hollywood billionaire in exchange for help in handling personal matters.
Netanyahu arrived at the Tel Aviv courthouse, where he was greeted by a mixed crowd of protesters and supporters. Some expressed support for him, while others called on him to step up efforts to free the 100 or so hostages still being held in Gaza. Coalition ministers and lawmakers also came out in support of him, responding to an appeal by Netanyahu's office the previous evening.
At the start of the session, Netanyahu's lawyer Amit Hadad criticized the Israeli judicial system, calling the trial a "political persecution". Hadad described the indictment as "defective and invalid" and argued that the case should have been dismissed.
Netanyahu began his testimony at approximately 11:30 a.m. and began by stating: "I have waited eight years for this moment to tell the truth as I remember it." He described his testimony as "an opportunity to puncture unsubstantiated accusations"that are being leveled against him.
Netanyahu, who has been Israel's prime minister for more than 17 years, holds the record as the country's longest-serving leader.
Xinhua/ gnews - RoZ
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