Netanyahu fears going to prison and requests to postpone his testimony in his trial on corruption charges

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested to postpone his testimony in his trial on corruption charges, citing his preoccupation with the war on the Gaza Strip and Lebanon and the military clash with Iran.

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority said on Monday, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again requested to postpone his testimony in his trial, this time for two and a half months”.

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority added, “His defense attorneys wrote, in a request submitted to the Jerusalem District Court, that due to a series of exceptional incidents in the war, they were unable to prepare Netanyahu to testify”.

They referred in the request to “eliminating the leaders of hostile organizations (meaning Hezbollah and Hamas) and a direct military confrontation with Iran”.

The court is considering an indictment against Netanyahu on corruption charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, which he denies.

Netanyahu’s first trial session was held on May 24, 2020.

He isn’t legally required to resign unless convicted by the Supreme Court, a decision that could take months to pass.

The Broadcasting Corporation quoted the leader of the opposition “Democrats” alliance, Yair Golan, as saying, “Netanyahu is guided by one goal, which isn’t to go to prison”.

He continued, “I hope that the court will show firm principles, so that it orders the continuation of the trial as planned, including the testimony of the prime minister”.

Opposition leaders accuse Netanyahu of insisting on continuing the war on Gaza and opening a war front on Lebanon in order to evade his trial and try to achieve a victory that might save him from trial and maintain his position despite his failures since October 7, 2023.