Source: New Europe
May 21 2020
By Elena Pavlosvka
An Israeli court has ordered prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to appear for the opening of his May 24 criminal trial, shortly after his lawyer sought an exemption.
Netanyahu was earlier indicted on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He denies the allegations, saying the charges have been trumped up by a liberal media and a justice system looking to depose him. The trial was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Netanyahu had asked Jerusalem District Court to be excused from his arraignment, arguing that bringing his bodyguards would be a waste of public funds and a strain on the coronavirus pandemic restriction rules. Critics accuse Netanyahu of trying to avoid the prosecution.
After nearly 18 months of political crisis, Israel has last week sworn in Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz in a power-sharing deal, under which, Netanyahu will serve as prime minister for the first half, while Gantz will serve in the second half.
The leaders agreed the “national emergency” government in a bid to tackle the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis. Israel’s supreme court ruled that “there was no legal reason to prevent the formation of a government” led by Netanyahu. While Israeli law bars ministers from serving while under indictment, there is no such law for prime ministers.
Netanyahu’s criminal charges stem from three cases.
The first case alleges that Netanyahu granted regulatory favours worth approximately about $500 million to Israeli telecommunications company Bezeq Telecom Israel.
The second case alleges that Netanyahu and wife wrongfully received nearly $200,000 worth of gifts from Arnon Milchan, a Hollywood producer and Israeli citizen, and Australian billionaire businessman James Packer.
The third case alleges that Netanyahu negotiated a deal with Arnon Mozes, owner of Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, for better coverage.
He denies wrongdoing in all cases.
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