Amid criticism from Trump, Israeli court nixes Netanyahu testimony this week

After representatives for Prime Minister Netanyahu reveal top secret diplomatic and security information, judges agree to cancel his planned testimony in court – after rejecting similar requests twice last week.

By World Israel News Staff

An Israeli court agreed on Sunday to cancel planned court appearances by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week, after Netanyahu and security officials presented secret diplomatic and security information.

Netanyahu has long argued that his ongoing trial – stemming from allegations of breach of trust, bribery, and fraud for gifts received and allegedly speeding up planned regulation changes in exchange for favorable media coverage – impedes the fulfillment of his duties as premier.

The prime minister has been required to appear in court three days a week for up to six hours at each appearance to testify in the three concurrent corruption cases, dubbed Case 1000, Case 2000, and Case 4000.

Last week, Netanyahu requested that the Jerusalem District Court delay his next appearance by two weeks, citing issues of critical importance to the State of Israel.

Twice, the court rejected Netanyahu’s requests, drawing sharp criticism on two separate occasions from US President Donald Trump, who claimed that prosecutors were preventing the prime minister from hammering out a hostage deal with Hamas.

“It is terrible what they are doing in Israel to Bibi Netanyahu,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account on Saturday.

“He is a War Hero, and a Prime Minister who did a fabulous job working with the United States to bring Great Success in getting rid of the dangerous Nuclear threat in Iran. Importantly, he is right now in the process of negotiating a Deal with Hamas, which will include getting the Hostages back.”

“How is it possible that the Prime Minister of Israel can be forced to sit in a Courtroom all day long, over NOTHING (Cigars, Bugs Bunny Doll, etc.). It is a POLITICAL WITCH HUNT, very similar to the Witch Hunt that I was forced to endure.”

“This travesty of ‘Justice’ will interfere with both Iran and Hamas negotiations. In other words, it is INSANITY doing what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu.”

Netanyahu and his legal team turned to the court a third time on Sunday, bringing senior security officials to testify regarding the need for Netanyahu to attend to critical diplomatic and security issues over the next two weeks.

The head of the Mossad, David Barnea, and Shlomi Binder, head of the IDF Intelligence Directorate, both testified to the court alongside Netanyahu in a closed-door hearing on Sunday.

The court was also presented with sensitive documents attesting to the critical issues facing Netanyahu.

Despite the testimony and documents, prosecutors rejected Netanyahu’s request and urged the court to maintain the existing schedule.

In its decision on Sunday, however, the court struck a middle ground, agreeing to a delay, but only of one week.

The court justified its reversal of its two earlier decisions, stating that new information brought to the court’s attention led to the shift.

“A hearing was held before us in which we heard Mr. Netanyahu’s explanations and those of expert officials involved in the matter, including the head of IDF Military Intelligence and the head of the Mossad.”