15 mar 2020
Supreme Court says due to justice minister’s declarations of the state of emergency in courts - following the COVID-19 outbreak - and a ban on all gatherings over 10 people, the trial’s opening hearing will be delayed by two months until May 24
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criminal trial that was scheduled to open later this week will be delayed until May due to the outbreak of coronavirus, the Supreme Court said Sunday.
Netanyahu is facing criminal charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three corruption cases and the trial's opening hearing was due to take place on March 17. The move comes after Justice Minister Amir Ohana has put courts in a "state of emergency" due to spread of COVID-19 in the country.
On Saturday evening, the prime minister announced a series of dramatic steps to combat the new virus that include closure of all stores, restaurant and all entertainment facilities as well as a ban on all gatherings over 10 people.
"In light of the latest developments - the spread of the coronavirus, the measures being taken and the declaration of the state of emergency [in the justice system], we have decided to cancel the hearing," said the Supreme Court in a statement.
The new date for the opening hearing has been set for May 24 at 3:00 pm.
Last week, Netanyahu submitted a request through his attorney Amit Hadad to the Jerusalem District Court, asking for the proceedings to be delayed by 45 days due to not receiving trial material on time.
Netanyahu’s lawyer sighted technical reasons for the request claiming evidentiary material requested by the defense team months ago has still not been delivered to them.
"A few months ago, an indictment has been filed against the prime minister, only to this day we still have not received trial material," Netanyahu’s representative said. "Therefore, we appealed to the court to postpone the hearing for technical reasons, so that we receive the trial material before appearing in court.”
Two days later the Jerusalem court officially rejected the request.
Netanyahu, 70, is accused of wrongfully accepting $264,000 worth of gifts from tycoons, which prosecutors say included cigars and champagne, and of dispensing regulatory favours in alleged bids for improved coverage by a popular news website.
He could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of bribery and a maximum three-year term for fraud and breach of trust.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criminal trial that was scheduled to open later this week will be delayed until May due to the outbreak of coronavirus, the Supreme Court said Sunday.
Netanyahu is facing criminal charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three corruption cases and the trial's opening hearing was due to take place on March 17. The move comes after Justice Minister Amir Ohana has put courts in a "state of emergency" due to spread of COVID-19 in the country.
On Saturday evening, the prime minister announced a series of dramatic steps to combat the new virus that include closure of all stores, restaurant and all entertainment facilities as well as a ban on all gatherings over 10 people.
"In light of the latest developments - the spread of the coronavirus, the measures being taken and the declaration of the state of emergency [in the justice system], we have decided to cancel the hearing," said the Supreme Court in a statement.
The new date for the opening hearing has been set for May 24 at 3:00 pm.
Last week, Netanyahu submitted a request through his attorney Amit Hadad to the Jerusalem District Court, asking for the proceedings to be delayed by 45 days due to not receiving trial material on time.
Netanyahu’s lawyer sighted technical reasons for the request claiming evidentiary material requested by the defense team months ago has still not been delivered to them.
"A few months ago, an indictment has been filed against the prime minister, only to this day we still have not received trial material," Netanyahu’s representative said. "Therefore, we appealed to the court to postpone the hearing for technical reasons, so that we receive the trial material before appearing in court.”
Two days later the Jerusalem court officially rejected the request.
Netanyahu, 70, is accused of wrongfully accepting $264,000 worth of gifts from tycoons, which prosecutors say included cigars and champagne, and of dispensing regulatory favours in alleged bids for improved coverage by a popular news website.
He could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of bribery and a maximum three-year term for fraud and breach of trust.
10 mar 2020
Proceedings to begin as planned on March 17; lawyer for PM, who is charged with fraud, bribery and breach of trust, had sought postponement over what he said was prosecution's failure to provide evidentiary material
Jerusalem District Court on Tuesday rejected Benjamin Netanyahu's request to delay his corruption trial on the grounds that his defense team has not received all of the relevant material from the prosecution.
The trial will begin in the same court as scheduled on March 17. The prime minister, who is facing criminal charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, submitted his request on Sunday through his attorney Amit Hadad.
Hadad cited technical reasons for the request, claiming evidentiary material sought by the defense team months ago has still not been delivered to them.
The start of the trial is set to be similar to a pre-trial, in which both sides attempt to put into the record documents and evidence that are mutually agreed upon.
It is also expected that the list of 333 witnesses named in the indictment will be substantially reduced.
Netanyahu described his indictment as an attempted coup by the judiciary, calling the investigation "tainted and politically motivated" and casting aspersions on Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and the prosecution.
"The public has lost its faith in the judiciary," Netanyahu said last week, claiming he has no intention of seeking a plea bargain or a pardon and is determined to prove his innocence in court.
The prime minister was indicted last November.
Jerusalem District Court on Tuesday rejected Benjamin Netanyahu's request to delay his corruption trial on the grounds that his defense team has not received all of the relevant material from the prosecution.
The trial will begin in the same court as scheduled on March 17. The prime minister, who is facing criminal charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, submitted his request on Sunday through his attorney Amit Hadad.
Hadad cited technical reasons for the request, claiming evidentiary material sought by the defense team months ago has still not been delivered to them.
The start of the trial is set to be similar to a pre-trial, in which both sides attempt to put into the record documents and evidence that are mutually agreed upon.
It is also expected that the list of 333 witnesses named in the indictment will be substantially reduced.
Netanyahu described his indictment as an attempted coup by the judiciary, calling the investigation "tainted and politically motivated" and casting aspersions on Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and the prosecution.
"The public has lost its faith in the judiciary," Netanyahu said last week, claiming he has no intention of seeking a plea bargain or a pardon and is determined to prove his innocence in court.
The prime minister was indicted last November.
8 mar 2020
Citing a technical delay because of material still not made available to the defense team, Netanyahu lawyer Amit Hadad submitts request to postpone the trial PM calls an attempted coup by judiciary
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, requested a delay in proceedings against him due to begin on March 17 at the Jerusalem District Court.
The prime minister who is facing criminal charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust submitted his request through his attorney Amit Hadad.
Hadad sighted technical reasons for the request claiming evidentiary material requested by the defense team months ago has still not been delivered to them.
The beginning of Netanyahu's trial will be similar to a pre-trial in which both sides attempt to put into the record documents and evidence that are mutually agreed upon.
It is also expected that the list of 333 witnesses named in the indictment will be substantially reduced.
Netanyahu described his indictment as an attempted coup by the judiciary calling the investigation "tainted and politically motivated," casting aspersions on Attorney General Avichai Mandelblitt and the prosecution.
"The public has lost its faith in the judiciary," Netanyahu said last week claiming he has no intention of seeking a plea bargain or a pardon and is determined to prove his innocence in court.
The prime minister was indicted on corruption charges last November.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, requested a delay in proceedings against him due to begin on March 17 at the Jerusalem District Court.
The prime minister who is facing criminal charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust submitted his request through his attorney Amit Hadad.
Hadad sighted technical reasons for the request claiming evidentiary material requested by the defense team months ago has still not been delivered to them.
The beginning of Netanyahu's trial will be similar to a pre-trial in which both sides attempt to put into the record documents and evidence that are mutually agreed upon.
It is also expected that the list of 333 witnesses named in the indictment will be substantially reduced.
Netanyahu described his indictment as an attempted coup by the judiciary calling the investigation "tainted and politically motivated," casting aspersions on Attorney General Avichai Mandelblitt and the prosecution.
"The public has lost its faith in the judiciary," Netanyahu said last week claiming he has no intention of seeking a plea bargain or a pardon and is determined to prove his innocence in court.
The prime minister was indicted on corruption charges last November.
6 mar 2020
Israel has re-elected Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of the right-wing camp, in a surprising result given the corruption charges against him and a forthcoming trial.
Nevertheless, he duly went ahead and defeated his opponents.
Netanyahu’s victory provides us with an opportunity to consider whether corruption has permeated Israeli society as it shifts ever more to the right. Does electing a fellow right-winger matter more to voters than getting rid of (allegedly) corrupt politicians?
He won due to his personal charisma, security narrative, and incitement against the Arabs; no mention was made about his corruption. In any case, the latter was overlooked by Israeli voters. This suggests that the Israeli electorate, especially those in the right-wing, religious and nationalist camp, are more concerned about Zionist ideals and politics than a corrupt government.
Even so, a petition was presented to President Reuven Rivlin and the Knesset signed by 120 former Israeli officials asking him not to ask Netanyahu to form the next government. These are high-ranking figures who have won state awards, university presidents, academics and suchlike. More than 500 air force officers sent a similar petition to Rivlin with the same message about Netanyahu’s corruption.
Being asked to form a coalition government will not save him from going to trial because he did not obtain an absolute majority. In a few days, therefore, we may see something unique in Israel’s history: a strong Prime Minister who has just been re-elected, sitting in court as a defendant, fighting for his freedom and his political life.
Netanyahu has been indicted on very serious charges, including corruption, bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. His trial is expected to take some time to conclude. He is not the first senior politician in Israel to face criminal charges. His situation sheds light on the magnitude of the corruption in Israeli political life and its impact on the system now and in the future, with a significant number of politicians involved.
Perhaps the most prominent politician to have been imprisoned is ex-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who was convicted in a number of criminal cases involving bribes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Before him was Moshe Katsav, the eighth President of Israel, who committed sexual offences and two rapes. He was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment.
Aryeh Deri, the leader of the Shas movement —a strong ally of Netanyahu — was imprisoned for taking bribes and using public money for the benefit of an association run by his wife.
Far-right former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, the head of Yisrael Beiteinu, is Netanyahu’s political enemy. He was connected, apparently, to many criminal offences, including the exploitation of public money for personal interests as well as attacking two boys and threatening them.
Stas Misezhnikov, the Minister of Tourism, was convicted of transferring huge sums of money to a woman with whom he had a special relationship.
Minister of Finance, Tourism, and Communications Avraham Hirchson was convicted of using public funds for personal purposes and breach of trust.
News reports about corruption in Israeli society are controversial because of the cost to the state, which is pushing citizens to describe the ruling class as a “corrupt leadership”. This leadership “pollutes” the political atmosphere and has a negative impact on public trust in state institutions.
What are the consequences of Netanyahu’s re-election, especially in terms of Israel’s status in the West? Will it be denied the economic and diplomatic privileges that it currently enjoys if the corruption levels increase? If the answers are “nothing” and “no”, then we all have a problem to contend with.
The indictments facing Netanyahu cover three areas: government privileges, bribery, and political appointments, all of which are widespread, apparently, from the prime minister to his ministers; from members of the Knesset to senior officials. Former Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg once said: “The 2,000-year struggle for Jewish survival comes down to a state of settlements, run by an amoral clique of corrupt lawbreakers who are deaf both to their citizens and to their enemies.”
Reports from the World Bank indicate that Israel is a country based on a high level of corruption, exceeding the “acceptable” rate in developed countries at 8.8 per cent, compared with the general rate in the West of 4.91 per cent. Israel is thus at the top of the list of the most corrupt countries.
Perhaps the most important effect of this corruption and other scandals is what might be called the deterioration of values and the “disturbance and decline of the soul” in Israel. It is heading in the wrong direction and is being dragged into the darkness towards possible extinction, not because of its enemies, but because of the Israelis themselves, not least their leaders, or those who would claim leadership.
There is a morality question mark over all of them, and the public does not trust them. Public confidence and trust in the Prime Minister fell from 34 per cent to just 21 per cent, while trust in the State President went down from 67 per cent to just 22 per cent.
What’s more, 79 per cent of the Israeli public has expressed concern for the future of the state due to corruption, with 75 per cent convinced that the malaise is widespread.
There must be concerns about the future of the Israeli political system. Once senior figures are indicted for corruption, the stability of the whole system is at risk. This also affects global opinions about Israel.
Israeli diplomats around the world have told the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the countries in which they serve are concerned about the extent of corruption in the state and that reports of corruption cases on a daily basis have caused great damage to its image globally. Corruption, they explain, dominates every meeting they hold with political delegations, journalists and opinion-makers, especially in Western Europe and the US.
The fact that Israeli society is still, by and large, a society of immigrants from many countries with their own cultures and traditions may have something to do with the lack of internal harmony and the different degrees of acceptability of certain behaviour and expectations.
Whatever the cause is, corruption is more prevalent in the upper echelons of Israeli society among those with power and influence.
This level of corruption in Israel is one of the most worrying issues on a par with “the Palestinian resistance and domestic crime” because it affects the stereotypically positive image promoted about the “Jewish and democratic state”.
The resultant lack of confidence in the government exposes the lack of sound decision-making and measures in a very unstable part of the world. That has to be a concern for us all.
Nevertheless, he duly went ahead and defeated his opponents.
Netanyahu’s victory provides us with an opportunity to consider whether corruption has permeated Israeli society as it shifts ever more to the right. Does electing a fellow right-winger matter more to voters than getting rid of (allegedly) corrupt politicians?
He won due to his personal charisma, security narrative, and incitement against the Arabs; no mention was made about his corruption. In any case, the latter was overlooked by Israeli voters. This suggests that the Israeli electorate, especially those in the right-wing, religious and nationalist camp, are more concerned about Zionist ideals and politics than a corrupt government.
Even so, a petition was presented to President Reuven Rivlin and the Knesset signed by 120 former Israeli officials asking him not to ask Netanyahu to form the next government. These are high-ranking figures who have won state awards, university presidents, academics and suchlike. More than 500 air force officers sent a similar petition to Rivlin with the same message about Netanyahu’s corruption.
Being asked to form a coalition government will not save him from going to trial because he did not obtain an absolute majority. In a few days, therefore, we may see something unique in Israel’s history: a strong Prime Minister who has just been re-elected, sitting in court as a defendant, fighting for his freedom and his political life.
Netanyahu has been indicted on very serious charges, including corruption, bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. His trial is expected to take some time to conclude. He is not the first senior politician in Israel to face criminal charges. His situation sheds light on the magnitude of the corruption in Israeli political life and its impact on the system now and in the future, with a significant number of politicians involved.
Perhaps the most prominent politician to have been imprisoned is ex-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who was convicted in a number of criminal cases involving bribes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Before him was Moshe Katsav, the eighth President of Israel, who committed sexual offences and two rapes. He was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment.
Aryeh Deri, the leader of the Shas movement —a strong ally of Netanyahu — was imprisoned for taking bribes and using public money for the benefit of an association run by his wife.
Far-right former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, the head of Yisrael Beiteinu, is Netanyahu’s political enemy. He was connected, apparently, to many criminal offences, including the exploitation of public money for personal interests as well as attacking two boys and threatening them.
Stas Misezhnikov, the Minister of Tourism, was convicted of transferring huge sums of money to a woman with whom he had a special relationship.
Minister of Finance, Tourism, and Communications Avraham Hirchson was convicted of using public funds for personal purposes and breach of trust.
News reports about corruption in Israeli society are controversial because of the cost to the state, which is pushing citizens to describe the ruling class as a “corrupt leadership”. This leadership “pollutes” the political atmosphere and has a negative impact on public trust in state institutions.
What are the consequences of Netanyahu’s re-election, especially in terms of Israel’s status in the West? Will it be denied the economic and diplomatic privileges that it currently enjoys if the corruption levels increase? If the answers are “nothing” and “no”, then we all have a problem to contend with.
The indictments facing Netanyahu cover three areas: government privileges, bribery, and political appointments, all of which are widespread, apparently, from the prime minister to his ministers; from members of the Knesset to senior officials. Former Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg once said: “The 2,000-year struggle for Jewish survival comes down to a state of settlements, run by an amoral clique of corrupt lawbreakers who are deaf both to their citizens and to their enemies.”
Reports from the World Bank indicate that Israel is a country based on a high level of corruption, exceeding the “acceptable” rate in developed countries at 8.8 per cent, compared with the general rate in the West of 4.91 per cent. Israel is thus at the top of the list of the most corrupt countries.
Perhaps the most important effect of this corruption and other scandals is what might be called the deterioration of values and the “disturbance and decline of the soul” in Israel. It is heading in the wrong direction and is being dragged into the darkness towards possible extinction, not because of its enemies, but because of the Israelis themselves, not least their leaders, or those who would claim leadership.
There is a morality question mark over all of them, and the public does not trust them. Public confidence and trust in the Prime Minister fell from 34 per cent to just 21 per cent, while trust in the State President went down from 67 per cent to just 22 per cent.
What’s more, 79 per cent of the Israeli public has expressed concern for the future of the state due to corruption, with 75 per cent convinced that the malaise is widespread.
There must be concerns about the future of the Israeli political system. Once senior figures are indicted for corruption, the stability of the whole system is at risk. This also affects global opinions about Israel.
Israeli diplomats around the world have told the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the countries in which they serve are concerned about the extent of corruption in the state and that reports of corruption cases on a daily basis have caused great damage to its image globally. Corruption, they explain, dominates every meeting they hold with political delegations, journalists and opinion-makers, especially in Western Europe and the US.
The fact that Israeli society is still, by and large, a society of immigrants from many countries with their own cultures and traditions may have something to do with the lack of internal harmony and the different degrees of acceptability of certain behaviour and expectations.
Whatever the cause is, corruption is more prevalent in the upper echelons of Israeli society among those with power and influence.
This level of corruption in Israel is one of the most worrying issues on a par with “the Palestinian resistance and domestic crime” because it affects the stereotypically positive image promoted about the “Jewish and democratic state”.
The resultant lack of confidence in the government exposes the lack of sound decision-making and measures in a very unstable part of the world. That has to be a concern for us all.
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