Netanyahu trial hearing scrapped amid security update and plea agreement signals

Netanyahu is on trial in three separate corruption cases involving allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

The Jerusalem District Court on Monday morning canceled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled testimony in his corruption trial after receiving an overnight update from his defense attorney citing security-related constraints.

The cancellation came as prosecutors also informed President Isaac Herzog that they are prepared to enter discussions on a possible plea agreement with Netanyahu.

A court spokesperson said the hearing would not take place “following an update received overnight” from Netanyahu’s lawyer, Amit Hadad, adding that further details would be provided later.

The defense letter noted that Netanyahu had been required to attend a late-night cabinet meeting and additional security consultations, and that his current schedule is based on sensitive security considerations that were detailed in a sealed envelope.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara sent a letter to Herzog stating that she and State Attorney Amit Aisman are “prepared to engage in discussions on a plea agreement.”

However, Baharav-Miara emphasized that such talks would proceed only if “there are no preconditions and no harm to the progress of the trial.” Netanyahu has not yet responded.

Herzog invited prosecutors and Netanyahu’s lawyers on Tuesday to negotiations aimed at reaching a plea agreement.

Netanyahu is on trial in three separate corruption cases involving allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.

The cases include accusations that Netanyahu granted regulatory benefits to telecommunications giant Bezeq in exchange for favorable coverage from the Walla news website, as well as allegations that he accepted expensive gifts from wealthy businessmen and sought favorable media treatment from newspaper publishers.

The prime minister denies all wrongdoing and has described the proceedings as politically motivated.

Under Israeli law, the president has the authority to issue pardons, although such interventions are generally rare and typically follow recommendations from Justice Ministry officials.

No serving Israeli prime minister has ever been indicted on criminal charges. Ehud Olmert stepped down in 2008 ahead of his own indictment on corruption charges.

Olmert was eventually convicted and served two-thirds of a 27-month prison sentence.