Netanyahu testifies in a Tel Aviv court in a corruption trial.

247 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at a Tel Aviv court on Monday (10) to continue his corruption trial. He is accused of fraud, breach of trust and bribery in three separate cases involving millionaire partners and attempting to obtain regulatory favors for the media in exchange for favorable coverage. (Source: [Source Name]) Metropolis.

The investigation cycle began in 2017, when the first accusations started to be made. In 2020, a new complaint was filed, but it was only in 2021 that the court began hearing witnesses, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The trial, however, has been marked by frequent delays, mainly due to the impact of the ongoing war, with Netanyahu's defense requesting that he be heard on non-consecutive days and within a reduced timeframe, between 10 am and 15 pm, twice a week.

The first case accuses Netanyahu of receiving $75.800 worth of cigars and $52.300 worth of champagne from Hollywood businessman Arnon Milchan between 2011 and 2016. Additionally, Netanyahu's wife, Sara, was also implicated, with the initial accusation stating she received jewelry worth $3.100, but new documents suggest the actual value was $45.

The second accusation involves Netanyahu's attempt to harm the free newspaper Israel Hayom in order to benefit Yediot Ahronot. In exchange, Yediot would alter its coverage, presenting a more favorable approach to the prime minister, since Netanyahu considered the coverage too negative. The third accusation, also related to the media, involves a negotiation with another newspaper to favor its coverage in exchange for helping to undermine the competition, constituting fraud and breach of trust.