Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial will restart Sunday after a pause linked to recent Iranian attacks on Israel, raising political stakes ahead of elections.
End of Pause in Netanyahu’s Trial
Israeli court officials announced Thursday that proceedings will resume as scheduled from Sunday to Wednesday, following the lifting of a state of emergency.
This marks the return of the trial against Netanyahu, which began in 2020 and has been repeatedly postponed.
Ceasefire Remains Fragile
The state of emergency was lifted Wednesday evening after no further Iranian rocket attacks on Israel were recorded since 3 a.m. Iran had launched ballistic missiles and drones following Israeli-American strikes on February 28.
Reuters reports the ceasefire nearly collapsed after additional Israeli attacks on Lebanon, with disagreement over whether Lebanon should be included in the agreement becoming a new point of contention.
Netanyahu Denies Charges
Benjamin Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to face criminal charges, including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, as outlined in a 2019 indictment.
The prime minister maintains his innocence. A conviction could result in imprisonment, but the trial’s conclusion remains distant, having been repeatedly delayed due to Netanyahu’s official duties.
Political Implications and Elections
The case has significant political dimensions. Reuters assesses that both the corruption allegations and the fallout from the October 2023 Hamas attack have weakened Netanyahu’s position.
Israeli elections are scheduled for October, and the prime minister’s current coalition may lose. The possibility of a pardon is also a factor, with Donald Trump publicly supporting a clemency appeal, though President Isaac Herzog’s office notes that pardon procedures are standard and rarely occur during ongoing trials.
