Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must begin his testimony in three corruption cases by December, the Jerusalem District Court has ruled, amid a delay over the Gaza war.
Netanyahu has been charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in Cases 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000, which include allegations that he offered favours to media magnets in exchange for positive press coverage.
His legal team had asked for a delay in his testimony until March 2025, due to the ongoing war in Gaza, with the prosecution objecting, saying his appearance in court should take place no later than 1 November.
"We're trying, but it’s a very challenging time for our ability to sit with the prime minister, ask questions, understand and receive feedback," Netanyahu’s legal counsel, Amit Hadad, told a hearing on Tuesday, according to The Times of Israel.
"I'm not asking for mercy. We will do the work and win, but you need to consider that there are circumstances here that we cannot control."
After weighing "the ability... [of] the prime minister to [prepare] during a time of war, with the public interest in advancing the case", the Israeli judges ruled on Tuesday that Netanyahu's testimony should be held no later than 1 December.
Netanyahu is charged with fraud and breach of trust after he and his wife, Sara, allegedly received gifts from key businesspeople for political favours in Case 1,000.
Case 2,000 alleges that Netanyahu offered to back legislation restricting the main rival of Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth in exchange for positive media coverage, while Case 4,000 claims the PM again requested positive stories from a media giant, Walla, in return for offering industry favours to a connected telecommunications company.
Netanyahu claims he is innocent of all charges in the three cases and accused media and legal teams of a stitch-up.
The prime minister has not given testimony, which would include cross-examination, in these cases yet but has appeared in court on several occasions.
The corruption charges against Netanyahu sparked huge anti-government protests in Tel Aviv and other cities, but these died down after Hamas's 7 October attacks, while the war on Gaza has seen attention focus on Israel's brutal military campaign in Gaza.